Ghana Football
‘Because Kotoko is a big club, everyone expects them to win trophies’ – Appiah Kwasi
Kwasi Appiah, the newly appointed Interim Technical Committee member for Ghana Premier League juggernaut Kumasi Asante Kotoko SC, has explained why everyone expects the team to win trophies all the time.
Everyone expects the Porcupine Warriors to win every prize since they are a huge club, he says.
“Kotoko is a big team, and everyone expects us to win trophies, but the coach’s intention is to give the coach a chance to build a strong team,” he told Luv FM.
“We will plead with the supporters to bear with us and not put pressure on the team”, he added.
The club just named Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum as head coach for the 2023-24 season, and the former coach has begged fans to be patient.
Kotoko failed to win a single trophy in the 2022-23 season, a year after Ogum broke the club’s eight-year trophy drought before leaving.
Ghana Football
GFA fines Kotoko GHC 80k for property destruction at Dr Kwame Kyei Complex
Asante Kotoko is facing a GHC 80,000 fine from the Ghana Football Association’s Disciplinary Committee for their disruptive behaviour during a match against Nations FC.
The disciplinary punishment is the result of actions that occurred during their matchday 6 match at the Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex.
Dissatisfied with a penalty call by the referee in the last stages of the game, a group of irate supporters resorted to violent behaviour. In protest, chairs were allegedly smashed, and items were hurled into the pitch. Despite the fact that the game ended in a 2-2 tie, supporters proceeded to vent their rage by destroying artefacts at the stadium.
The inquiry by the Disciplinary Committee revealed a ‘breach of Article 16(c) and Article 16(2)(f) of the GFA Disciplinary Code 2019.’ As a result, Asante Kotoko has been fined heavily, and the money will be given to Nations FC to compensate for the damages caused by the alleged Kotoko fans.
Meanwhile, Kotoko returned to winning ways on Sunday, defeating Medeama SC at the Baba Yara Stadium due to Sherif Mohammed’s penalty kick in the 60th minute.
Ghana Football
Hearts of Oak to play home games in Kumasi following the closure of Accra Sports Stadium
According to Onua Sports, Hearts of Oak have opted to transfer their home games to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium following the shutdown of the Accra Sports Stadium due to scheduled Christmas celebrations.
The highly anticipated Ghana Premier League match between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, which was originally scheduled for Accra on December 8, will now be played in Kumasi, with Hearts of Oak designated as the home team.
The temporary location change was caused by the Accra Sports Stadium, which was overseen by event organisers for the Christmas festivities. Alhaji Brimah Moro Akambi, a Hearts of Oak Board Member, confirmed the decision, indicating that the Phobians will play their home games at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for the rest of the year. However, beginning in 2023, the club is open to evaluating alternative locations.
Hearts of Oak are currently 14th in the league rankings with 12 points. Following the resignation of coach Martinus Koopman, assistant Abdul Rahim Bashiru has been named to handle the squad until a permanent replacement is found.
On Tuesday, they meet the Accra Lions, looking to get back on track after three straight draws.
Ghana Football
Maxwell Konadu released from hospital
Maxwell Konadu, the head coach of Nsoatreman FC, has been released from the hospital following an attack by Bofoakwa Tano fans.
The incident occurred on Sunday, following Nsoatreman FC’s 1-1 tie with Bofoakwa Tano in Week 11 of the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League season.
Konadu was rendered unconscious during the assault and was taken to Sunyani Teaching Hospital.
According to a club release, the former Black Stars assistant coach has been fired.
“Our coach Maxwell Konadu has been discharged from the hospital. We thank everyone who said a prayer for our coach during these difficult moments. Efiri Tete Amanaso,” a statement from Nsoatreman FC said on Monday evening.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has announced the arrest of one individual engaged in Maxwell Konadu’s attack and beating.
The police are also on the lookout for another suspect who is presently on the run.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has banned the Sunyani Coronation Park, which serves as Bofoakwa Tano’s home stadium.
Meanwhile, in the matchday 12 games this weekend at Nana Kronmansah Park, Nsoatreman FC will host Heart of Lions.