BASIGI CALLS FOR GEORGE OWU’S INCLUSION IN BLACK STARS

Head coach of Secondi Hasaccas, Yusif Basigi who doubles as the head coach of the senior national female team the Black Queens is calling for the inclusion of Hasaccas goalkeeper George Owu into the Black Stars squad.

In an interview with Accra based Happy FM, the Black Queens head coach said Owu is in top form and should be considered into the Black Stars set up.

“I think he is in top form. If you monitor Hasaccas games you will notice the kind of performance he is putting up. I think he should be considered to the Black Stars especially with the sort of experience he has”. 

Owu,31, has mounted the Black Stars post on several occasions in the early 2000’s and will be hoping to prove a point if he is being given the opportunity again.

The former Asante Kotoko and Ebusua Dwarfs shot stopper was a member of the Ghana Black Stars squad that represented the country at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He was also Ghana’s number one during the 2004 Olympic Games in Greece (Athens) where the Black Meteos failed to go past the group stage after losing 0-1 to Japan in the last group game.

 

By Frank Darkwah

Follow Frank Darkwah on twitter.@Blaqqkoffi

MAIDENS PAID WINNING BONUSES

SPORTS LOUNGE can confirm that the Black Maidens of Ghana have been paid their winning bonuses two days after they returned from Costa Rica.

Reports say all 21 players received $3,000 each on Monday after they had each received the same amount in Costa Rica for the three group games played. Summing the total amount the girls received to $6,000. 

But the FA is still yet to pay the qualification bonus promised to the girls prior to the start of the competition.

Ghana failed to emulate the success they chalked two years ago in Azerbaijan when they won bronze after falling 3-4 on penalties to Italy at the quarter finals on Thursday night.

The Girls who returned in the country on Saturday are currently lodging in a hotel and will be released by head coach Evans Adotey to join their various teams tomorrow.

By Frank Darkwah

Follow Frank Darkwah on twitter.@Blaqqkoffi

MEDEAMA ADVANCE TO NEXT STAGE OF CAF CONFEDERATION CUP

Ghana’s sole representative in Africa Medeama SC on Sunday advanced to the next round of the CAF Confederation cup despite losing 1-0 to Zambia’s ZESCO United away.

Medeama who went into the second league with a 2-0 advantage were determined to secure a double over ZESCO but lost narrowly to the Zambians after putting up some excellent performance at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium. The score thus means the Ghanaians qualified on a 2-1 aggregate scoreline.

The win for the Yellow and Mauve has therefore paved way for Medeama to set a date with one of the eliminated teams from the Champions League at the play off’s round which will see eight teams make it to the group stage.

By Frank Darkwah

Follow Frank Darkwah on twitter.@Blaqqkoffi

COMPEREHENSIVE UPDATES OF GHANAIAN PLAYERS ABROAD

 Muntari injured,Atsu-Nyarko provide assist,Dede-Jordan clashes, Adomah, Amoah and Afful scores. SPORTS LOUNGE Frank Darkwah brings you a recap of how Ghanaian players fared over the weekend

FRANCE

In the Ligue 1, there was no brotherly love between Andre Ayew and junior brother Jordan Ayew when the two meet at the Stade Bonal in a game which saw Sochaux sharing spoils with Marseille. Both players however played full throttle for their respective teams. Defender Jonathan Mensah once again was a bench warmer when Evian Thonon Gaillard piped AS Monaco 1-0 at home. Meanwhile, inform striker Majeed Waris ‘s presence was missed in the game between Montpellier and Valenciennes as his side Valenciennes could not find the back of the net when the game ended in a 0-0 drawn game.  Indispensable John Boye was left on the bench when Stade Rennes won 3-0 over Bastia. In the Ligue 2, Kwame Nsor still battle with his injury woes as he was out from the Metz team that drew 2-2 with Angers. Dannis Appiah was in action for Caen when they had a 1-1 draw at Nancy.

BELGIUM

Midfielder Dennis Odoi scored the consolation for Lokeren in the 5-1 heavy defeat to Club Brugge. Nana Kwasi Asare played at left back for KAA Gent who lost 0-1 at home to KV Oostende. Bernard Yao Kumordzi also came on in the 75^th min but could not help Racing Genk avoid an embarrassing 3-0 defeat at home to Zulte-Waregem. Both Daniel Opare and Frank Acheampong were missing in action when Standard Liege won 1-0 over Anderletch.

SWIZERLAND

Both Ebenezer Assifuah and Ishmeal Yartey played in FC Sion Sitten’s 1-1 draw with St Gallen. Samuel Afum came on to play the last eight min for Young Boys who lost 1-2 to FC Aarau.

NETHERLANDS

Christian Atsu made way in the 73^rd min for Uros Djurdevc but set up his side’s second goal when Vitesse drew 2-2 with Heerenveen at the Gelredome. Striker Matthew Amoah came on and scored the winning goal in the 90^th min to help SC Heracles Almelo beat NEC Nijmegen 2-1 away. Fellow Ghanaian Kwame Quansah played the entire game for Heracles. Mawouna Kojo Amervo played 90 min for Go Ahead Eagles who lost heavily by 5-0 to Feyenood Rotterdam. In other games Shadrach Kwasi Eghan was left out from the starting eleven of Twente Enschede who lost 3-0 to Ajax Amsterdam at the Amsterdam Arena. Goal freak Elvis Manu could not find the back of the net when Cambuur Leeuwarden drew 0-0 with AZ AZ Alkmaar. Dutch born Ghanaian midfielder Mitch Apau was booked in the 45^th min and played 90 min for RKC Waalwijk who won narrowly by 1-0 over Roda JC Kerkrade.  Fred Benson came on to play the last 6 min for PEC Zwolle who had a stalemate with ADO Den Haag. Francis Dickoh continue to be under pecking order as he was once again left out of FC Utrecht squad that drew 2-2 with NAC Breda

Dutch born Ghanaian winger Erixon Danso scored the only goal for Dordrecht when they beat Helmond Spot 1-0 in the Eerste Divisie. Midfielder Jonathan Opoku was on the losing side when FC Oss lost 0-3 to FC Den Bosch

ENGLAND

In the Championship, German born Jeffrey Schlupp played 90 min for Leicester City who beat Burnley 2-0 at the Turf Moor Stadium. In other games winger Albert Adomah increased his tally to eleven so far this season when he scored in the 65^th min and was substituted three min from time in game that saw Middlesbrough win 2-0 away at Brighton & Hove Albion. Elsewhere at the Huish Park, Barnsley were 4-1 away winners over Yeovil Town. Ghanaian Emmanuel Frimpong came on in the 90^th min for Barnsley while former Chelsea youth captain Seth Ofori-Twumasi was an unused substitute for Yeovil.

In the English League one, midfielder Abdul Osman  watched from the bench when his side Crewe Alexandra lost 1-2 at home to Coventry City. Aston Villa loanee Curtis Obeng played at the right back position for Stevenage who drew 1-1 with Port Vale at home. Kwasi Appiah came on in the 15^th min for Dorren Jones when AFC Wimbledon lost 1-0 to Mansfield Town away. Striker Patrick Agyemang came on to play the last 10 min for Portmouth who managed a 2-1 win over Newport County. Ghanaian midfielder Jo Kuffour was on the bench for Torquay United who lost 1-0 to Southend United. 18 year old Ghanaian born forward James Alabi played 90min for Southend United. Both Ghanaian born James Harper and Andy Yiadom were in the Barnet starting lineup when they drew 1-1 with Cambridge United. Kelvin Amankwaah played the whole duration for Salisbury City as they lost 0-1 at home to Kidderminster Harriers.  Birmingham City loanee Koby Arthur was on the bench for Lincoln City who shared spoils with Tamworth.

SCOTLAND

In the Scottish premier league Prince Buabeng started the game for Partick Thistle and was substituted in the 62^nd min when they lost 1-0 to St Johnstone. Arsenal loanee Daniel Boateng was a bench warmer for Hibernian who lost 2-0 to Heart of Midlothian.

SPAIN

Richmond Boakye Yiadom was a bench warmer when his side Elche drew 1-1 with Villareal.

In the Segunda division, Thomas Partey was in full action for Real Mallorca when they shared points with Recreativo Huelva at home.

ITALY

Ghanaian duo Sulley Muntari and Micheal Essien shared the two half’s between themselves as Muntari made way for his countryman at the start of the second half in a game which saw Milan thrash Chievo Verona 3-0 at home. Sulley however got injured.  Rahman Chibsah was a full timer for Sassoulo who lost 2-0 to AS Roma at the Citta del Tricolore. Isaac Cofie could not taste any min when Genoa were humbled 3-0 by Hellas Verona. Inform Afriyie Acquah who is knocking on the doors of the Black Stars played 70 min for Parma when they lost 3-2 to Lazio away. Sensational Kwadwo Asamoah  came off in the 53^rd min when Juventus where beaten 2-0 by Napoli.

In the seria B, Ghanaian born David Moro played the entire game for Empoli who were 2-1 victors of Juve Stabia at home.  The game involving Latina and Carpi saw two Ghanaians in action for both sides as full back Masahudu Alhassan played the full game for Latina while Acosty-Boadu Maxwell came on in the 57^th min for Carpi as the former won 1-0 at home. Amidu Salifu was missing in the Modena set up when they drew 0-0 with Spezia. Moro Alhassan warmed the bench for Cesena when they beat Novara 2-0.

GERMANY

Ghanaian born Karim Bellarabi was not part of the match day squad for Eintracht Braunschweig who managed a 1-1 draw with Bayern Leverkusen. Kelvin Prince Boateng once again showed his quality when he helped Schalke beat his former club Hertha Berlin 2-0. Anthony Annan came on to play the last 6 min for Schalke. In the Bundesliga 2, Defender Marcel Appiah was in the Hearts of defense when Arminia Bielefeld drew 0-0 at home with VFR Aalen. Right back Phil Ofosu Ayer was not in action for Fortuna Dusseldorf when they drew at home with FC Ingolstradt. Full back Abdul Baba Rahman could only make the bench for SpVgg Greuther Furth in their 2-2 stalemate with St Pauli

PORTUGAL

David Addy lost his place as he was put on the bench by his coach when his side Victoria Guimaraes lost 1-0 to Sporting Lisbon

SOUTH AFRICA

Elsewhere in the ABSA Premier league, all three Ghanaians were missing in the Meritzburg set up when they lost 1-2 to Silver Stars. Awal Mohammed missed out due to injury while Frank Sarfo Gyamfi and Yakubu Abubakari were not included in the match day squad. Goalkeeper Fatau Dawda was on the bench for Orlando Pirates who beat Moroka Swallow 1-0. Former Liberty professionals and under 20 goalkeeper Daniel Agyei despite beginning training did not make Free State Stars team that went to secure a point at Bay United. Former Asante Kotoko defender Rashid Sumaila did not play in Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 win over Pretoria University. Former Wa All Stars midfielder came off in the 79^th min when Amazulu held Bloem Celtic to a 0-0 draw.

RUSSIA

Mubarak Wakasu could not make FK Rubin Kazan’s team who lost at home to FK Rostov-Na-Donu by 1-2. Rabiu Mohammed has still not recovered from injury as he was not part of Kuban’s team who lost 1-3 to Krasnodar.

TURKEY

Former Ash Gold and Ghana goal king winner Shaibu Yakubu scored for 1416 Trabzon who beat Mernin 2-0. Fellow man Terik Jibril was out from the Trabzon squad due to injury.

TUNISIA

Harrison Afful was on target when Esperance beat Real Bamako 3-0 in their CAF Champions League tier.

NORWAY

Ernest Asante began the Norwegian season on a bright note when he banked in a brace over IK Start when they beat Stromgodset 4-2. Ghana goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey was in post for Stromgodset.

SWEDEN

Ghana attacker David Accam got his Allsvenskan season started with a fabulous strike for Helsingborg IF but riotous Djurgården fans caused the game to be abandoned.

USA

 Patrick Nyarko came off the bench as a 56^th minute substitute to replace Benjamin Joya and set up Chicago Fire’s second goal in the 2-2 draw away at DC United when the Ghanaian provided Quincy Amarikwa with an assist to find the back of the net in the 82^nd minute.

By Frank Darkwah

Follow Frank Darkwah on twitter.@Blaqqkoffi