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Jerome Otchere’s Take: Why Hughton impressed me

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Ghana coach Chris Hughton claims he developed positive relationships with his players while serving as technical advisor

Black Stars coach Chris Hughton lived up to expectation at the press conference in Kumasi, which officially unveiled him to the Ghanaian. Some have argued that for a coach of his make, he wouldn’t underperform at a press event. I agree with that. 

For any candid review, too, Chris Hughton’s responses to questions, his depth of knowledge and composure wouldn’t also escape attention. I believe he’s the coach Ghana should’ve had a year back but there’s no need elaborating on that point. 

I take a leaf from a decent answer Hughton gave on the issue of interference in selection to say, we must leave the past behind and focus on the future. “All I can say is, I am the new head coach. Anything you speak of before my time here is very much something you’re bringing up. It’s in the past,” said Chris Hughton. 

An AFCON qualifier awaits us on Thursday against Angola. Hughton has already named his squad. What lies ahead is what presently matters. Thus, in our forward march, Hughton made modest promises. 

“I will be spending more time in Ghana. I will be watching more games. I am constantly being made aware of players who are doing well. I’ll be paying more attention to [GPL] games because it is important that we have a strong national league” he said.   

“No coach can sit here and guarantee a trophy buy what I can guarantee is a strong team. We want to see a winning team”. In all, relevant questions were asked, and Hughton answered them well like the one concerning his contract. It’s been argued that discussions on his contract are needless, but that position is flawed.

When we’ve not kept a coach for long in recent years, there’s every need to ask what Hughton makes of his 21-month contract. “I have to get the right balance of what’s short-term, what’s medium term, and what’s long term. At this moment, always the most important is short-term. Winning football matches that’ll get you into a better position to when the other games come around. 

“The medium term of course is making sure that you all qualify and do well in the competition itself. The longer term, of course, is about developing players and bringing players through the system and that takes time. There’s no doubt, as a team that played in the World Cup with the youngest team, we’ve to have an eye on development. 

“And development can take time and sometimes this is where you need that little bit of patience from the likes of yourself, the journalists, the supporters” said Hughton. “So, the length of my contact is probably the correct length”.

That enlightened answer on his contract is why Hughton impressed me. We’ve been on this short-term Black Stars coaching business. The responses you get from people you expect to know better, is as if you’re an enemy of state who hates progress. Hughton, by that informed response and the others he gave showed why we must support him. 

Source: Jeromeotchere.com

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Ghana Football

King Faisal relegated from Ghana Premier League

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King Faisal relegated from Ghana Premier League

King Faisal has been relegated from the betPawa Premier League and will play in Division One.

Their relegation was sealed when Karela United defeated Bibiani GoldStars 3-2 at the Crosby Awuah Memorial (CAM) Park.

With one game left in the season, King Faisal’s destiny is determined, since they will finish no higher than 16th, regardless of the results of the last matches.

King Faisal is currently in 17th position with 39 points, three points behind Tamale City, who is narrowly outside the relegation zone.

If King Faisal wins their final game of the season and Tamale City loses, they will have equaled Tamale City’s point total. However, owing to their weaker head-to-head record against Tamale City this season (a 4-1 advantage for Tamale City), King Faisal would be unable to finish ahead of them.

King Faisal joins Kotoku Royals as the second Premier League team to be demoted this season.

On the last day of the season, the final relegation position will be determined. Hearts of Oak, Karela United, Accra Lions, Legon Cities, Tamale City, and Great Olympics are all fighting for survival.

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Chris Hughton announces Ghana’s 24-man squad for the AFCON 2023 Qualifier match against Madagascar

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Chris Hughton announces Ghana's 24-man squad for the AFCON 2023 Qualifier match against Madagascar

Ghana’s team for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations Group E qualifier against Madagascar has been chosen by Chris Hughton.

The Black Stars Coach has chosen a 24-man squad to go to Antananarivo on Sunday, June 18, 2023.

Alidu Seidu and Kwasi Okyere Wreidt return to the squad, while Ernest Nuamah, based in Denmark, obtains his first senior national team call-up following an impressive performance with Nordsjaelland in the Danish Superliga.

Amiens defender Nicholas Opoku, Patrick Kpozo of Moldova, and Anderlecht midfielder Majeed Ashimeru have also been called up.

Ghana enters the game in June as the leader of their Africa Cup of Nations Cote D’Ivoire 2023 qualification group, with 8 points after two victories and two draws in the first four games.

The match will take place on Sunday, June 18, 2023, at 17H00 in Antananarivo’s Stade Kianja Barea.

WhatsApp Image 2023 05 29 at 11.08.17 PM
Chris Hughton announces Ghana’s 24-man squad for the AFCON 2023 Qualifier match against Madagascar

The squad:  

Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Wollacott (Charlton Athletic), Abdul Manaf Nurudeen (KAS Eupen)

Defenders: Denis Odoi (Club Brugge), Alidu Seidu (Clermont Foot), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Patrick Kpozo (Sheriff Tiraspol), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo), Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg), Nicholas Opoku (Amiens)

Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Arsenal FC), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax Amsterdam), Majeed Ashimeru (Anderlecht), Salis Abdul Samed (Lens), Edmund Addo (Spartak Subotica)

Wingers: Joseph Painstil (Genk), Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade), KamalDeen Sulemana (Southampton), Ernest Nuamah (FC Nordsjaelland)

Attackers: Andre Ayew (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Kwasi Okyere Wriedt (Holstein Kiel).

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Jordan Opoku is the best – Nii Adjei heap praises on ex-teammate

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Jordan Opoku is the best - Nii Adjei heap praises on ex-teammate

Daniel Nii Adjei, a former Asante Kotoko midfielder, has praised his former teammate Jordan Opoku, calling him the best player he ever played with.

Nii Adjei shared the locker room with Opoku throughout his stay at Asante Kotoko from 2007 to 2011, and again in the 2018-2019 season when he returned for a third term.

Nii Adjei, who departed Asante Kotoko in 2019, reflected on his time there and commended Jordan Opoku for his great talents on the pitch.

Nii Adjei praised Jordan Opoku on his own Facebook page, calling him a great football genius and the best midfielder he has ever played alongside. He expressed his affection and respect for his former teammate.

“I want celebrate this man Jordan Opoku. A true definition of a football doctor. Best midfielder hv played with. Bro I salute you”

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Jordan Opoku had tremendous success with Asante Kotoko, winning multiple trophies, including two Ghana Premier League crowns. Together with Nii Adjei, he was also instrumental in the club’s ascent to the money zone in African inter-club tournaments in 2008.

Nii Adjei has moved into coaching and is now the head coach of Elmina Sharks’ women’s team, Sea Lions, proving his continuous engagement in the sport.

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