Ghana Football

Jerome’s Take: Sorry but goodbye Ashgold

Published

2 years ago

July 17, 2022

Majesty

“We are of the view that the Disciplinary Committee was right in imposing sanctions…In the circumstance, we dismiss the appeal filed by Ashantigold…” – GFA Appeals Committee, July 13, 2022.

We’ve to strengthen the hands of the Ghana Football Association (GFA)’s Disciplinary Committee and the other judicial bodies of the GFA if we’re to cleanse our league football of things that have the tendency to hamper its growth.

Strengthening their hands means supporting them to ensure discipline, fairness and equality before the laws governing the game. That’s not to say we wouldn’t disagree with the rulings of the GFA’s judiciary bodies. It also doesn’t mean we wouldn’t criticise the FA itself. What it means is that, where there’s reason to back the GFA, we’ll do it.

Discipline is important in every human endeavour and particularly in football and sports in the larger context, we can’t develop if we won’t commit to doing and insist on the right things. No football association, no football league, no group of clubs anywhere have thrived in this business with misconduct, unethical behaviour or crime.

It’s why we must back the GFA when it treads on paths that lead to ridding our game of activities that would ruin it. It’s why the officers of the GFA must themselves be fair and professional in the discharge of their duties. It’s why I’ve backed the sanctions against Ashantigold and others although I didn’t like the fact that the Obuasi club stayed well beyond the announcement of their demotion to the Division Two League.

I’ve applauded the ruling of the Appeals Committee which upheld the Disciplinary Committee’s view that the miners’ punishment of demotion for match-fixing is fair. I also liked the timing of the ruling. It keeps the FA on track relative to its programme for the 2022/23 season. Ghana football has since 2018 suffered too much over corruption allegations and we must be interested in purging our game’s soiled image.

GFA President, Kurt Okraku and his team must not look back on enhancing our game’s reputation. It’s natural for us to feel bad that a club of Ashantigold’s stature have been thrown out of the Ghana Premier League to the third tier of our league football. The bitter truth, however, is that we didn’t wish this fate for them.

Rulings of the Disciplinary and Appeals Committees of the FA both underscored the irresponsibility of Ashantigold’s managers. You can’t trade the name and image of your club and that of Ghana football for a pittance, fail to own up to your grave carelessness and expect to be left off the hook in the face of evidence you couldn’t contradict.

The misjudgment of Ashantigold’s leadership brought them this shameful fate. You would only understand the magnitude of the disgrace Ashantigold’s present leaders have caused the club and its people if you saw the then Goldfields of the 1990s. Now that the GFA has the roadmap to replacing Ashantigold, I say sorry but goodbye.

Club admins must know what awaits them should they take the misguided leadership route those at Ashantigold took. Let’s always be mindful that despite our unwavering interest in Ghana football, if our conduct is that which dirties the sanctity of the game, we will suffer for it.

Source: Jeromeotchere.com

Ghana Football

Asante Kotoko terminates Fatawu Safiu’s contract due to medical failure

Published

2 months ago

February 5, 2024

Majesty

Asante Kotoko SC has officially terminated Abdul Fatawu Safiu's contract due to medical reasons.

A club statement by Asante Kotoko on Monday evening indicates that Abdul Fatawu Safiu’s contract has been terminated due to medical reasons.

According to the Kumasi-based royal club, the former Al-Sinaa SC striker failed a mandatory medical assessment test as required by the Ghana Football Association, following the announcement of his signing on the registration deadline day.

The returnee striker who joined Kotoko from Eleven Wonders in November 2018, ahead of the 2018–19 CAF Confederation Cup campaign has been duly informed about the health-related issues which could rule him out for a long period.

Below is a full statement by Asante Kotoko

Asante Kotoko can confirm that it has relieved forward, Abdul Fatawu Safiu due to medical reasons.

Asante Kotoko entered into an employment contract with the player in order to meet registration deadlines as announced by the Ghana Football Association, and had to ensure that the player undergoes the pre-competition medical assessment which is the basic and compulsory requirement by the GFA.

This medical assessment was duly done awaiting further tests. The further assessment by the club’s medical team revealed other health related issues which could rule him out for a long period. The club, after being informed about the situation, concluded that continuing an employment contract with the player would not be of full benefit to both parties – the club and the player. Details of the specific medical condition have been clearly communicated to the player.

It is imperative to note that the GFA has rejected his registration, so keeping him would not be in the best interest of the club and the player, hence the decision to end the relationship.

The club wishes Abdul Fatawu Safiu the very best for the future and wish to assure him that he forever remains one of us, and he is welcome to serve in any capacity in the future.

Signed….

Management.

Ghana Football

Abdul Fatawu returns to Asante Kotoko on a two-year contract

Published

3 months ago

January 15, 2024

Majesty

The forward stated on the club's website: "I am very excited about this opportunity," he stated with a laugh. "Everyone knows Kotoko is my favourite club, and as a kid, it was my dream to play for Kotoko and achieve that."

Abdul Fatawu Safiu has signed a deal with Kotoko until January 2026.

The NC’s special competition’s best player and top scorer in 2019 returns after spells with Trelleborgs FF and FC Trollhättan in Sweden.

Safiu made his debut for the Kumasi-based royal club in the 2018-2019 season, scoring thirteen goals in sixteen games, including some amazing strikes in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The return of the forward is part of Coach Prosper Narteh’s goal of returning to the CAF Champions League.

The forward stated on the club’s website:

“I am very excited about this opportunity,” he stated.

“Everyone knows Kotoko is my favourite club, and as a kid, it was my dream to play for Kotoko and achieve that.”

Ghana Football

Asante Kotoko announce signing of Emmanuel Kotei on a three-year deal

Published

3 months ago

January 15, 2024

Majesty

"Kotoko is every player's dream, and mine has finally come true." "Having the opportunity to wear our colours means everything to me as a local boy." He informed the club's journalists.

Asante Kotoko have announced the acquisition of right-back Emmanuel Kotei on a three-year contract from Nsoatreman FC.

The 26-year-old brings Premier League experience from his time with Tamale City.

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The offensive full-back demonstrated his skill and promise while playing for Nsoatreman and Tamale City, appearing in 47 games for both teams since the start of the 2022/23 season.

Kotei, who has been on the club’s scouting team’s radar, is our first addition of the second transfer window.

During his unveiling, the Kumasi native couldn’t contain his joy.

“Kotoko is every player’s dream, and mine has finally come true.” “Having the opportunity to wear our colours means everything to me as a local boy.” He informed the club’s journalists.