Okwawu
dare Hearts in fourt Week encounter
Charles
Taylor to miss next three league matches
Jonas
Akorli registers for Mine Stars
Hockey
- Egypt Police beat Ghana’s Exchequers to stay top
Women Sports Association organises
porters games
Accra
(Greater Accra) 26 April 2002 - Beginning next Wednesday 1 May 2002 Yugoslav
coach Zivadinovic Millan will commence his romance with Ghana football as the
new Black Stars head coach. The GFA this week settled on him as the new coach
of the senior national team after considering two other applicants, Scot Ian
Potterfield and Polish Antoni Tiechniczek who were short-listed from among
eight applicants for the job.
Four other
coaches, including ex-Stars player, Mohammed Polo, applied for the job but
their late entries were not considered. The GFA has submitted its final choice
to the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS) for final approval, which is
expected to be given by this weekend. The ministry's approval will be based on
the coach’s track record, the remuneration to be paid him, as well as other
financial demands the job requires, which have to be borne by the MOYS.
The choice
of Millan effectively brings to an end the search for a quality coach for the
senior national team which began about two months ago. Sources close to the GFA
told the Graphic Sports that the choice of the Yugoslav was not only based on
his credentials, but the reasonable demand by way of remuneration, since that
falls within what the GFA's budget can absorb.
His
appointment as the coach of the Stars, will see Millan as the first Yugoslav
coach in Ghana in so many years as well as his first working schedule in
Africa. Fluent in English and German languages, Millan has achieved most of his
successes in his home country. He was in charge of the Yugoslav senior national
team between 1998 and 1999 after he had successfully coached the Under-23
Olympic team between 1995 and 1998. Outside Europe, the Yugoslav has coached in
Asia, specifically Saudi Arabia.
His
countrymen regard him as one of the best coaches in Yugoslav in the last five
years. Currently, he is in charge of division one side, Obilic in the Yugoslav
league leading them to finish second in that league as well as qualify them for
next season’s UEFA Champions League competition. Indeed, Millan was shortlisted
alongside Vicente del Bosque to coach Real Madrid when the Spanish side was
looking for a new coach, but was beaten to the job by Bosque who is now in
charge of Madrid.
According
to sources, Millan whose contract with Obilic has ended is however, likely to
have the contract renewed by the club so that he guides them in their UEFA
Champions League campaign next season. But should he be signed on by the GFA,
Millan may not go for a contract renewal with Obilic. While Millan is expected
in the country by next week to sort out the nitty-gritty of his contractual
agreement with the GFA, Mr Potterfield, the well-known Scottish-born coach who
was in a neck and neck race with Millan until he was beaten to the finishing
line by the Yugoslav, has been spotted in town.
He says he
is here at the invitation of Asante Kotoko. He denied being in town to lobby
for the job. Potterfield's credentials, among others, include a coaching career
with the Zambian and Zimbabwean national teams respectively in 1994 and 1996,
as a consultant for English Premier League side, Bolton Wanderers in 1995, as
well as coach of Oman and the Emirates. His most impressive achievement was
with Trinidad and Tobago between 1999 and 2001 during which time he led the
team to the COPA Caribbean success.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater
Accra) 26 April 2002 - Kumasi Asante Kotoko are bracing for a tricky test on
Sunday when they attempt to clear another hurdle into the final eight of the
African Cup Winners Cup competition. Kotoko had little problem scaling over
their first hurdle and swept aside Angolan side Atletico Sonangol, but in South
African champion, Santos, they face a bigger task in marching closer to
continental glory.
Last week
Sunday the Oseikrom lads chalked a deserving 3-3 away draw at the Greenpoint
Stadium in Cape Town, a result which gives them a leverage over Santos in the
return leg. Given the indomitable spirit of Kotoko on home soil, it is often
tempting to brush aside opponents easily. But recent matches against Liberty
Professionals and Goldfields have taught them the harsh lessons that they are
far from being the finished article yet.
Two days ago, however, they stepped up gear and raised the hopes of theirs
followers after routing RTU 5-0 in their outstanding league duel in Kumasi.
Immediately, it all seemed as though Kotoko had done their homework and have
their hands on all levers of the game. That same day too, Santos opened a new
page in history by winning the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL). This
means both teams enter Sunday’s game from a position of strength and with high
morale too.
Kumasi may look safe haven for Kotoko but against a well-drilled side as
Santos, Ernst Middendorp’s charges cannot afford to take their foot off the
accelerator throughout the game. They would definitely have the crowd and
possibly the weather behind them, which could work against the visiting team.
But, as Middendorp told Graphic Sports in last Tuesday’s edition, Kotoko must
focus on scoring a lot of goals since Santos have proven they can score many as
they concede.
Against RTU
on Wednesday, Kotoko had a good spread of scoring options in skipper Godwin
Ablordey, Joe Sam, Joe Louis and Nana Frimpong, who together with hitmen Nana
Arhin-Duah and Micheal Osei should provide scoring options any coach could ever
hope for.
Certainly,
Kotoko fans would look forward to a five-star performance from their strikers.
But their efforts could be undermined if their defence cracks under pressure as
they have been doing lately, after conceding eight goals in three matches
against Liberty, Santos and Goldfields). On Wednesday, however, Middendorp
seemed to have plugged the loopholes in the defence, especially the centre-back
where the partnership between Kwaku Duah and Joe Hendrericks looks more
formidable than the Hendericks-Isaac Owusu pair.
The chances
are that the German coach would maintain Wednesday’s winning team against
Santos, who possess an ageing but experienced side capable of giving the home
team a lot of discomfort. And for a side that won a competition that includes
tough teams likes Orlando pirates, Kaiser Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns, the
‘People’s Team’ can not be taken for granted. Kotoko must keep their guards up
and capitalise on the least opportunity that comes their way to ensure a safe
quarterfinal berth.
GRi…/
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Accra
(Greater Accra) 26 April 2002 - Champion Club, Accra Hearts of Oak, will be
hoping for their fourth straight victory in the ongoing premiership when they
clash with new city rivals, Okwawu United, at the Accra Stadium tomorrow.
Though a few people gave them a dog's chance to make any meaningful impact
prior to the season, following some initial setbacks, the Phobians have so far
exhibited a big heart only typical of champions to set a cracking pace.
Sharing an
enviable record of three wins in as many matches with the Aboakese lads,
Goldfields, Hearts can be said to be on course for the defence of their title.
Against Okwawu tomorrow, Hearts will be playing away, even though they will
still enjoy all the privileges usually accorded them at their favourite base.
And even in
the absence of suspended Charles Taylor, the champions are still expected to
reign supreme with the emergence of their new kid on the block, Frank Turkson.
Just as they demolished city rival, Great Olympics 2-0 last Sunday, the
"Operation 15 points' mission of the Phobians will be very much alive, even
though the Soccer Mountaineers will attempt to break the tradition this time
around.
Fact is,
the Asase Aban boys have always found the Accra Stadium too uncomfortable a
venue anytime they play against Hearts, always ending up the vanquished side.
Perhaps Okwawu will be dreaming of turning down the tables now that they have
adopted the Accra Stadium as their home grounds and will have equal access to
all benefits available to home teams. But that certainly appears to be a tall
order as coach Herbert Addo will ensure the entrenchment of Hearts at the top
of the table with another triumph.
At the same
venue on Sunday, Liberty Professionals who have so far found the competition
tough than they ever envisaged, would battle for their first win against Great Olympics
in a fierce local derby. Quite contrary to their expectations, Liberty's lot so
far has been three disappointing draws. Thus, when they engage Olympics this
time, their agenda will definitely be to add to the woes of Olympics who lost
0-2 to Hearts in their last outing.
Again, it's
the leading hitman Papa Arko of Liberty who will be the centre of attraction as
he attempts to add to his current three goals tally. Kumasi Asante Kotoko who
registered the highest victory so far in the race with a 5-0 massacre of RTU
last Wednesday will not be in league action against Mine Stars at Prestea in
view of their Cup Winners Cup return encounter against Santos in Kumasi on
Sunday.
The game
involving Dawu Youngsters and King Faisal will be a close contest, though the
homesters might have a slight advantage. Bofoakwa Tano who are yet to find
their rhythm will be in one hell of a match, even at Sunyani, when they host
Obuasi Goldfields in a tough duel.
In spite of
their CAF Cup elimination, the Aboakese lads appear quite transformed as they
are yet to drop a point. And with Coach Oti Akenten in the saddle, Goldfields
can clinch their second away victory or at least return home with a point. At
Koforidua, it will be the turn of Power FC to lick RTU dry for their first
three points to improve their position on the table just as Kotoko did on
Wednesday.
At Berekum,
Arsenals will have a busy time handling a swarm of bees from Suhum when they
come face to face with Maxbees in a fierce match-up. At Sekondi, Hasaacas will
be inspired by versatile Kofi Abbrey to ensure another home victory over
visiting B. A. United.
GRi…/
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Charles
Taylor to miss next three league matches
Accra (Greater
Accra) 26 April 2002 - Accra Hearts of Oak's playmaker Charles Taylor would
miss the fourth to sixth week matches of the on-going premier league following
being red carded during the Hearts and Olympic league match played at the Accra
Sports Stadium last Sunday.
A release signed by
Mr. Kweku Ampim-Darko Deputy General Secretary of the Ghana Football
Association (GFA), said Taylor would miss four matches including the third week
league match for having been expelled from the game for a violent conduct. He
said Hearts have additionally been fined 200,000 cedis and failure to pay would
render Taylor unqualified even after the ban.
In another
development, Mathew Konadu of Accra Great Olympics would also miss the fourth
to sixth matches for receiving a red card in the Hearts/Olympics third week
league match. Konadu's ban also followed his expulsion from the same league
encounter for violent conduct. His club is to pay a fine of 200, 000 cedis
failure to which he would remain banned.
GRi…/
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Jonas
Akorli registers for Mine Stars
Accra (Greater
Accra) 25 April 2002 - Jonas Akorli, former Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi
Asante Kotoko defender, has been registered by newly promoted premier league
campaigners Prestea Minestars for the 2002 league season.
Mr Sherrif Musah, a
management member of the club, in an interview with the GNA Sports said his
club has signed a three-year contract with the player. He said the move is
aimed at strengthening the defence of the Prestea club for the season but did
not disclosed financial dealings involved.
He said
negotiations with the player was a private affair held behind close doors
therefore he could not make known any financial deals involved. According to Mr
Musah, Akorli's last club was Power F/C but was declared a floating player by
the Player Status Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in October
last year.
Mr Musah said by
the decision of the GFA Akorli decided to play for their Club adding that his
registration was completed on Wednesday April 24 at the FA's secretariat. Jonas
Akorli has also played for Clubs like Obuasi
Goldfieds and Dawu Youngsters thus featuring for almost all the big clubs in
the Country.
GRi…/
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Hockey
- Egypt Police beat Ghana’s Exchequers to stay top
Accra (Greater
Accra) 26 April 2002 - Police Union of Egypt defeated the Exchequers of the
Bank of Ghana 2-0 at the National Hockey Pitch in Accra on Thursday to stay of
the standings on nine points from three matches.
Ahmed Andam scored
mid way through the first half and Zaafan Emad made it a brace before the
break. The Egyptians played a tight defensive game and relied on their
expertise at converting penalty corners to score their goals. The Ghanaian
champions appeared all nerves and found the well-built Egyptian defenders hard
to beat as they resorted to whacking the ball way out in their own half in
frustration.
In the second half,
Police had a couple of chances, mostly from short corners, but Jonas Tetteh in
goal for the bankers pulled some good saves to keep the score down. Ghana
suffered another defeat when Trustees of the Social Security and national
Insurance Trust lost to Federal Flickers of Abuja, Nigeria in the second match.
Aliyu Abdulahi was
on target after 10 minutes in the first half when he struck a hard shot past
Joseph Ababio who was in goal for the Ghanaians. Trustees had a golden
opportunity to level scores with three minutes remaining when they had a
penalty but Haizel Tetteh struck the ball against the right upright to let the
Nigerians off the hook and put the supporters of the Ghanaians in a state of
mourning. The federal Flickers are now on six points from two matches.
Standings - Men's
Division P W
D L F A GD
Pts
Police Union (Egypt) 3
3 - - 9 2
7 9
Federal Flickers
(Nigeria) 2 2
- - 3 1 2
6
Exchequers
(Ghana) 2 1
- 1 4 2 2
3
Sharkia (Egypt 1 - -
1 1 3 -2 0
Yobe Flickers
(Nigeria) 2 -
- 2 2 6 -4
0
Trustees
(Ghana)
2 - - 2 0
5 -5 0
GRi…/
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Women
Sports Association organises porters games
Accra (Greater
Accra) 26 April 2002 - The Women Sports Association of Ghana (WOSPAG) is
organising an International Olympic Committee (IOC)/Ghana Olympic Committee
(GOC) talent hunt games for female porters and Street Academy children at the
EL-Wak Stadium on Sunday May 12.
A statement signed
by Miss Christina Duodu, Secretary General of the Association said the games,
to be organised yearly, is aimed at identifying talents for some of the
national teams. Disciplines to be competed in are athletics, cycling, soccer
and ampe. Seven teams comprising Agbobloshie Makert, Accra Central, Madina,
Ataa Lartey Street, Academy Girls, Mallam Atta, Nima and Kokomba are expected
to compete in the games. The target age is 12 to 21.
GR…/
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