Ghana Football
Jerome Otchere: Annor Walker plots new CHAN path
Annor Walker portrays the exact mindset of a coach, who not alone knows the enormity of the work ahead but also understands what to do to accomplish it.
As I spoke with Black Galaxies Coach Annor Walker 24hours after their 4-0 aggregate victory over Benin (Ghana won 3-0 in first leg), I heard joyful confidence in his voice as he reflected on his team’s attitude, performance and results in the first phase of the 2023 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifying matches.
Clearing the final qualification hurdle is the goal for us having missed three straight CHAN tournaments, the coach intimated. The second and final part of the task, is to beat Nigeria this month for a place in Algeria. Annor Walker portrays the exact mindset of a coach, who not alone knows the enormity of the work ahead but also understands what to do to accomplish it.
“The Nigeria game won’t be easy” Annor Walker admits and proceeds to explain why the only remaining obstacle on our CHAN qualification route, Nigeria, would be tough but beatable. Nigeria hasn’t forgotten how Ghana denied them a chance at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. They’ve sought revenge in other matches, beating the Black Queens and the Black Starlets their respective qualifiers recently.
Annor Walker agrees, that gives Nigeria extra impetus but he and his assistants, Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum and Bismark Kobby Mensah have a counter-plan. “We need to work hard on the Nigerians” he accepts. That hard work is already in motion. Not everything can be put out yet Anoor Walker is sure the positive developments that preceded their two Benin encounters would be reinforced.
“The FA ensured we camped early. There were breaks for the players to go to their clubs during the league but we had time at Prampram and Cape Coast” he says. “We scored well in our trial matches; the players have shown seriousness, discipline and hard work”. The coach attributes the wins over Benin to these and points out that, the players’ commitment to the course of the Black Galaxies is high.
Hearts of Oak’s Afriyie Barnieh and Karela United’s Osman Bashiru had a brilliant partnership in the last game and that signals team work, an element the coach and Team Manager, Edmund Ackah also cite for their progress. “We’ve been inspired by GFA President, Kurt Okraku, our coaches understand themselves and the players are serious. It’s team play. We’ve been challenged to go into battle and for Nigeria, it’ll be do or die” says Edmund Ackah.
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.
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.
Harry Maguire accepts Isaac Adongo’s apologies
Argentina’s World Cup-winning coach, Lionel Scaloni, has hinted that he may resign
9 killed, several others injured in an accident at Ho
This was avoidable – Bonaa on fatal clashes in Nkwanta
I never indicated my house was sold – Speaker of Parliament
Akufo-Addo pardons eight Chiana SHS students who insulted him
Audio: Richard Attah’s wife narrates how ‘Aki and Pawpaw’ plotted the sack of Samuel Boadu
Video: I will marry 20 wives and have 10 concubines – Osofo Ajagurajahon Gh One TV with Serwaa Amihere
Reggie Rockstone vs Bongo Ideas on Twitter… Davido sends a DM to notorious Bongo Ideas
