MILOVAN RAJEVAC READY FOR ALGERIA TASK.

Newly appointed Algeria head coach Milovan Rajevac is hoping to find the same form he had when he was Ghana coach in his new environment.
 
The Serbian is massively credited with plotting Ghana’s historic run in the World Cup in 2010 where the Black Stars were seconds away from reaching the last four of the competition.
Before that he had masterminded Ghana’s road to the African Cup of Nations final in Egypt (2010) despite going with a relatively young side that was robbed off some of its experienced heads due to discipline or injury.

"I had a great African experience with Ghana," Rajevac said at his maiden presser in the North African country.
"It will propel me to achieve my objectives with Algeria."
"The objective is to go to the final of the 2017 Afcon, win it and go to the 2017 Fifa Confederation Cup [in Russia].
"The quality of the technical team is as important as the players. I have met the current staff I will work with.
"In Ghana, I had two assistants and a translator. It was the best staff I have ever had."
The Serbian took over as head coach of the Black Stars in 2008 and left after the World Cup in 2010.

REFEREE JOSEPH LAMPTEY TO OFFICIATE KAWKAB MARRAKECH - FUS RABAT

Ghana’s top referee Joseph Lamptey has been appointed by Confederation of African Football to handle the Confederation Cup match between Kawkab Marrakech and FUS Rabat on Friday.
 
Lamptey will be assisted on the flanks by David Laryea and Malik Alidu Salifu.
William Selorm Agbovi will serve as the fourth referee.

The all-Moroccan counter will be played on Friday at the Marrakech Grand Stadium.

HEARTS OF OAK SUED BY KITS MANUFACTURING COMPANY.

Kits manufacturing and distribution company Crown Sports International sues Accra Hearts of Oak over failure to make payments after supplying them with equipment totaling $6300, GHANAsoccernet.com can reveal.
 
Hearts will also pay an additional cost of GHC16,000 for cost of shipping the items to Ghana.
Cardinal Law Group, on behalf of the kits company wrote to the club through the Chairman of the Strategy Committee Vincent Sowah-Odotei to respond to claims that the Phobians have refused payment for goods supplied them after using them.

According to the CEO of the kits company Alagidede Eric, his outfit supplied the Phobians with equipment including jerseys, footballs, travelling bags, first aid kits etc in 2014 and the Phobians are yet to make the necessary payments.

He added that, upon receiving the goods, the club indicated their decision to reject the goods which he humble asked them to return all the items.
Surprisingly, the club started using the equipment without making the necessary payment and all attempts to get his part of the bargain have proved fruitless.

“I have tried severally to get my money after they started using the equipment yet they don’t want to pay. Maybe they will see I am serious now because I am told this is the only language they understand,” the CEO told GHANAsoccernet.com
This will be a big blow to the club at a time the club is battling with low attendance at their home matches following a shift in their technical direction.

SOURCE;GHANASOCCERNET.COM

GHANA PLACED 36TH ON FIFA RANKINGS.

Ghana moved up one place on latest FIFA ranking released on Thursday for the month of July but third in Africa.
 
The Black Stars are the 36th best national team in the world after a total of 228 ‘A’ internationals contributed to the new order.
Algeria remained in 32nd position and remained the continent’s highest ranked football nation.
Ivory Coast also moved up place to 35th and still the second best in Africa.

Argentina remain at the summit of the July ranking but only after a tumultuous month of action that resulted in plenty of movement further down.
New Zealand emerged as the month’s biggest climbers, moving up a whopping 54 places to 93rd on the back of an OFC Nations Cup victory that both qualified the All Whites for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and furthered their FI
FA World Cup qualifying ambitions.

Portugal will also be heading to Russia 2017 after their shock EURO 2016 triumph, an achievement that resulted in them leapfrogging Spain and Brazil into sixth position.

BA UNITED BANNED FROM USING SUNYANI CORONATION PARK.

Division One League club BA United FC has been banned from using the Sunyani Coronation Park as their home venue with immediate effect.
 
This decision has become necessary due to the unfortunate incident that occurred during Match Day 19 game between BA United and Berekum Arsenals played on Sunday, 10th July, 2016.
Supporters of the home side allegedly attacked officials of the opposing team during the game which was played at the Coronation Park.

 A statement from the Ghana Football reads;

The decision is in accordance with Article 15(2) of the GFA General Regulations, which states that, “the GFA may order the closure of any league centre where the safety of clubs, Match Officials or Spectators cannot be guaranteed.”
The Division One League Board will determine the venue for BA United’s upcoming home matches in accordance with Article 15(3) of the GFA General Regulations.
This order is without prejudice to the determination of the case pending before the Disciplinary Committee.
Meanwhile, the Disciplinary Committee has been charged to hear the case in accordance with the GFA Regulations.

AMOS FRIMPONG WINS SUPPORTERS AWARD.

Asante Kotoko captain Amos Frimpong has been named the club's most consistent player in June.
The award is being organized by the ‘True Porcupine Warriors Supporters’ on social networking site WhatsApp.
The utility player beat competition from his versatile mate, Bennett Ofori and goalkeeper, Ernest Sowah.
He was given GHȼ 400 in the presence of the playing body and technical staff after the team's training session on Thursday afternoon.

The President of the group, Ibrahim Aliu Sly told Asantekotokosc.com that, the criteria for the awards is the players’ dedication, consistency and willingness to sacrifice for the club.

HEARTS TO SACK YAW PREKO AND NASSAM?

                    Yaw Preko (left) with sacked Kenichi Yatsuhasi and Nassam Yakubu(Right).



Accra Hearts of Oak may sack assistant coach Yaw Preko and goalkeepers' trainer Nassam Yakubu over claims of sabotage,widespread reports in Ghana have claimed.
 
According to multiple reports in the media, both Preko and Yakubu have hatched up a plan to sabotage the work of newly-appointed trainer Sergio Traguil.

The pair are reported to be unhappy with the appointment of the Portuguese after building a close affinity with dismissed coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi.
Reports have suggested newly appointed video analyst and scout Elton Nunez will deputize for his compatriot.
 Hearts want to give the newly-appointed a fresh backroom staff over the bizzare episode.
It's unclear what might have precipitated the latest stand-off with officials remaining tight-lipped on the mounting reports.

Hearts play Aduana Stars in week 18 of the  Ghana Premier League on Sunday

NYANTAKYI ADVISES CLUBS TO LOOK FOR SPONSORSHIPS.

Ghana FA President Kwesi Nyantakyi has called on Premier League clubs to be proactive in securing sponsor instead of relying on the sponsorship packages from the FA.
He described sponsorship packages from the FA a support fund which is meant to cushion the clubs instead of running the clubs.
In an interview with Kessben FM, a reputable radio station in Kumasi, Kwesi Nyantakyi explained that it is good for the FA to support the clubs but the FA does not run the clubs for their owners.
“League sponsorship is meant to support clubs and cushion their efforts. The clubs must not solely rely on that for their day-to-day management,” he said.
“Clubs like Kotoko and Hearts have taken some steps but the others must follow. Even in the big European leagues, clubs have their own sponsors who give them huge money than what they get from their associations.
“Clubs must not work harder to move towards developing themselves while they wait for the support of the FA.”
Kwesi Nyantakyi’s call comes following the consistent threats by some Premier League clubs to pull-out of the ongoing league due to lack of sponsorship.

GHANASOCCERNET.COM /Sheikh Tophic Sienu

REPORT TO US,NOT THE MEDIA - NYANTAKYI TELLS GHANAIAN CLUBS.

 Ghana Football Association President Kwesi Nyantakyi has cautioned clubs to desist from the consistent threats of pulling out of the ongoing league due to lack of sponsorship insisting such acts are warding off prospective sponsors.
 
The Executive Committee member said that no prospective sponsor will love to sponsor a league in which clubs are pulling out.

He advised that the clubs must desist from such acts to open doors for sponsors who have shown interest to finally agree to sign a contract with the FA.

“The consistent claim of pulling out of the league is one of the major reasons why we’ve not been able to sign on new sponsors,” he told Kessben FM in Kumasi.

“You think anybody would like to sponsor the league when participating clubs keep threating to pull-out?
He then advised the clubs that they should rather table their claims at the appropriate quarters instead of running to the media to lay their grievances.

“The sad thing is that these clubs who threaten the pull-out rather go to the media to register their grievances.

“If indeed you have a problem, we are an association so you can table it for consideration instead of resorting to the media,”

GHANASOCCERNET.COM

KWESI NYANTAKYI BLASTS SPORTS MINISTRY.

Ghana Football Association President Kwesi Nyantakyi has responded to claims that his outfit has a sour relationship with the Ministry of Youth and Sports insisting the latter rather has a problem with the FA.
 
In an interview with Kumasi based Kessben FM, Nyantakyi said that the recent statements from the Sports Minister Nii Lante Vanderpuye demonstrate that his outfit has a problem with the FA. 
“We can all say we don’t have a problem with the Sports Minister.”
“But if issues that can be handled between the two bodies are first addressed in public, then clearly he has shown that he has a problem with us,”
“If he thinks there are matters that must be addressed, he can invite us for discussion instead of going to the media to address those issues,” he added.

The Sports Minister upon assuming office has consistently questioned the modus operandi of the Ghana FA on factors like bonus given to Black Stars management committee, the mobilisation of funds from the national teams, and also monies given to players on national assignments.

MAHAMA AYARIGA ASKS FOR INCREASE IN SPORTS BUDGET.

Former Sports minister Mahama Ayariga has urged his own government to increase the ministry's budget allocation following massive financial crisis which has hit local football clubs.
 
Several Ghanaian clubs are in financial troubles with New Edubiase and Techiman City declaring their intention of pulling out of the league.
The lack of sponsorship in the Ghanaian top-flight has crippled many clubs with wanton calls on the Ghana FA to find new sponsors, and fast.

But former sports minister Mahama Ayariga is urging his government to increase monies allocated to the ministry to mitigate the financial impact.
“The sports ministry itself does not have a good budget, that is the truth of the matter,"he told Accra-based Class FM

The allocations to the sports sector is very paltry relative to the challenges of the sector and the responsibilities that are imposed on the sector.
"Over all, we need an increased budget for the sports ministry.

ISAAC MENSAH,OTHERS BACK FROM INJURY FOR HEARTS.

Hearts have been boosted by the injury return of three key players ahead of their Premier League cracker against Aduana Stars.

Richard Yamoah, Kassenu Ghandy and Isaac Mensah resumed group training on Thursday.

Midfielder Yamoah has been out injured for the past three months.

New signing Kassenu Ghandy also picked up a thigh problem on his debut against Dreams FC while highly-rated Isaac Mensah took a slight knock during the side's President Cup defeat to rivals Asante Kotoko.

The good news emerging from the treatment room reveal the three players could be available for selection after returning to training.

Hearts host Aduana Stars in a top-liner at the Accra sports stadium on Sunday.

AS ROMA CHASE GHANA'S CHRISTIAN ATSU.

Italian giants AS Roma are interested in signing Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu currently training in the United Kingdom.
 
The 24-year-old has returned to his parent club Chelsea and will be part of the team that will work with Conte in preseason.
Atsu signed for Chelsea three seasons ago but has been loaned out in the last three years, first to Vitesse, then to Everton before Bournemouth and Malaga followed.
He was a spectacular hit at Vitesse but has struggled for both form and fitness since then at the other clubs.
AS Roma are the latest club interested in signing the former FC Porto man who has shown a desire to succeed.

GN BANK MAINTAINS SPONSORSHIP FOR DIVISION ONE LEAGUE.

After series of statements concerning awful incidents in the Division one league,GN Bank has maintained their sponsorship for the league. 
 
After deliberations with the Ghana FA and the Division One League, the bank has been assured of a violence-free league.

The Corporate Affairs Manager of the Bank, Richmond Keelson in an interview with Sunyani-based Moon Light FM confirmed this report "We met the GFA and the leadership of the Division One League last week to deliberate on issues. Recently there was disorder at one of the division league venues and because we don’t want to be associated with a brand that could lead to bloodshed, destroy property and even affect the image of our bank,”
"As a result of the happenings, we informed them we were suspending our sponsorship until they bring sanity into the game.
"They have resolved issues at the division one and have even punished some of the clubs who were at the centre of the chaos that rocked the division.
"Four supporters have been arrested for assaulting the coach of Elmina Sharks and have been arraigned before the court. Also some of the leaders of Gold Stars who were also involved in a controversy have been banned.
"The GFA has assured us that they will send cameras to all league centres to help bring all offenders into book. Based on what they have done and put in place we have decided to reinstate the sponsorship package."

MATCH OFFICIALS FOR GHANA PREMIER LEAGUE WEEK 18 FIXTURES.

 
Below is the list of  Match officials for Week 18:

MATCH: Dwarfs vs Hasaacas
Venue: Cape Coast
REF: Joseph Lamptey
ASST 1: David Laryea
ASST 2: A.S Malik
4TH REF: William Agbovi
MC: Umar Teni

MATCH: Hearts of Oak vs Aduana
Venue: Accra
REF: S.B Bortey
ASST 1: Haruna Bawa
ASST 2: Micheal Agbenuza
4TH REF: Isaac Quaye
MC: Andrew Tamakloe

MATCH: New Edubiase vs Liberty
Venue: Obuasi
REF: Sylvester Adjoku
ASST 1: Abu Willam
ASST 2: Opoku Boateng
4TH REF: Emmanuel Ofei
MC: Harry Atutonu

MATCH: Medeaman vs Dreams
Venue: Tarkwa
REF: Reginald Lathbrigde
ASST 1: Richard Appiah
ASST 2: Safo Adade
4TH REF: Justice A. Poku
MC: William Gidiglo

MATCH: Techiman City vs WAFA SC
Venue: Techiman
REF: J.A Amenya
ASST 1: Ashitey Amarh
ASST 2: Philip Darko
4TH REF: O.B Amankwa
MC: Andrey Derry

MATCH:  Wa All Stars vs AshantiGold
Venue: Wa
REF: A.H Henkel
ASST 1: Sylvester Boenodi
ASST 2: Joseph Sey
4TH REF: Emmanuel Ansah
MC: Paul Aflandeck

MATCH: Inter Allies vs Kotoko (Saturday)
Venue: Tema
REF: Kenny Padi
ASST 1: Samuel Asuedu
ASST 2: Falla Rahman.....
4TH REF: Ali Alhassan
MC: C.W. Okai

MATCH: Bechem United vs Berekum Chelsea
Venue: Bechem
REF: Nuhu  Liman....
ASST 1: Badiu Alhassan
ASST 2: Eric Nantiere
4TH REF: Latif Adaari
MC: Samuel Acheampong