DEFIANT KWASI APPIAH DENIES REPORTS OF BEING INFLUENCED BY SENIOR PLAYERS

Head Coach of the Black Stars, James Kwasi Appiah has refuted reports indicating that he was being influenced by senior players in the Black Stars team.

Speculation in the media revealed that the Ghanaian tactician who guided the Black Stars to the 2014 FIFA World Cup was being influenced by some of the senior players in the team when making selection for a game which eventually lead to him dropping goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey for Fatau Dawda after Ghana’s first group game with the United States.

Appiah who was initially accused of  being swayed by the Ghana FA in his player selection prior to the World Cup addressing the media in a press conference at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on Wednesday revealed that he has never allowed any of his players to manipulate  his selections.

“I can’t believe this. Even the players do complain that is difficult for them to know the one starting a game. I have never allowed any player to influence my selection”, the soft-spoken coach said.

“At the end of the day I’m in charge. I take decision as to who to start or who not to start. If it doesn’t go well is me so there is no way a player can influence me. No one is above the law in my team”.

The 53-year old also went on to explain the reason behind Goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey’s exclusion in the starting IX after the first game. 

“This does not only go to Kwarasey. It goes to all my players. Every coach have a look at his training, how his players perform during all training sections before a match and then decide on whom he thinks should be used at a particular time”, he added. 

“For instead in the case of Kwarasey there is a goalkeeper’s trainer and any decision that I take on goalkeepers I need to consult him and my assistant to make the final decision as to who start a particular game. So it applies to all positions on the pitch”.

Appiah failed to guide the Black Stars into the Knockouts stages of the World Cup for the first time after the teams previous second round and quarter finals berths in 2006 and 2010 respectively.

By Frank Darkwah

2014 PRESIDENT CUP TO BE PLAYED LATER THIS MONTH

President of the Ghana league Club Association [GHALCA], Alhaji Raji has indicated this year’s President Cup will be played later this month instead of the usual 1^st July. 

The president cup which is organized every year to commemorate Ghana’s Republic day celebration was scheduled to take place on Tuesday July 1^st but failed to come on due to the on-going FIFA World Cup tournament which prevents all FIFA member countries to relegate its football events or competitions during the World Cup period.

Raji, in an interview with Accra-based Asempa Fm revealed that this year’s President Cup has been fix between 25-27 of this month.

"We wrote a proposal to the President and his entourage to ask for a postponement in date of the event because, during World Cups, all other football matters are almost relegated," Alhaji Raji noted

"However, we decided to fix on 25-27 July and it has been agreed. GHALCA will soon release the teams involved and other details."

Alhaji Raji also indicated that a top eight competition will be organized instead of the usual top four competition before the 2014/15 league season starts.

"The sponsors are willing to support all the eight teams to be involved. Dates and other relevant details will as well be communicated to the clubs and general public."

By Frank Darkwah

Follow Frank Darkwah on twitter.@Blaqqkoffi

GHANA GOALKEEPER RICHARD KINGSON BREAKS SILENCE-SPEAKS ON SULLEY MUNTARI

Ghana goalkeeper Richard “Olele” Kingson has scented with Black Stars player Sulley Muntari after the 28-year old midfielder was alleged to have engaged in a burst up with Ghana Football Association Executive Committee member Moses Armah Parker at the team’s camp prior to their final group game against Portugal.

Muntari whom according to reports had an altercation with the Medeama owner when he overly got furious following a comment made by Moses Parker on an issue being discussed, rushed on the Medama bankroller and punched him on the face”. Muntari as a result of his action was given an indefinite suspension by the Ghana FA. 

Although the AC Milan man has been criticized by many after the incidence, Richard Kingson who played with Muntari at the 2006 and 2010 World Cup’s has sided with the hard-working midfielder saying “Sulley will apologize if he is at fault”. 

“Sulley is a very nice guy. He is very cool guy. He is a discipline guy and he is humble. I have been with Sulley in the same camp for a long time. I have never had a quarrel with Sulley before”, he said.

“But Sulley is one who does not like to be cheated. He respects everyone. But if you confront him in the wrong way he will not take it easy with you”.

“So I want Ghanaians to relax. I know if Sulley is at fault he will definitely come out to apologize. He will apologize to the man [Moses Parker] if he is at fault. But if he knows he is not at fault, he will never apologize. Because he does not like to be cheated. He does not like lies. He doesn’t like it when you lie to him”.

“This is not the first time we are saying something like this about Sulley. People have painted him black without hearing him out. It might be that he is at fault and could also be that he is not at fault. Let all wait for Sulley to come and tell us his side of the story”.

“But for me, I definitely know that if Sulley knows he is at fault, he will say sorry. He will apologize to the entire nation only if he is at fault”.

The midfielder is currently with his team AC Milan to prepare for their Pre-season training tour ahead of the 2014/2015 League season.

By Frank Darkwah

Follow Frank Darkwah@Blaqqkoffi

EXCLUSIVE: NURU SULLEY DISAPPOINTED IN HEARTS MANAGEMENT TEAM

Defender of Accra Hearts of Oak, Nuru Sulley has lashed out at the management of the team after the handlers of the Rainbow club failed to allow the player seal a deal despite receiving several offers from various Clubs outside the country.

Nuru who joined Hearts of Oak in 2012 from 1^st division side Mighty Jets has managed to play an integral part in the Phobian glory over the last two seasons helping them finish third in the 2013/14 league season. The hard-working center half’s impressive display has seen him attract interest from several clubs including teams from Libya and Moldova. 

But officials of the 20-time league champions have failed to allow the burly defender land a deal with any of the offers tabled down.

Nuru who has just one more year left on his contract with Hearts of oak in an interview with SPORTS LOUNGE expressed disappointment in the Club officials and indicated he has no intention to extend his contact when it expires.

“I had a deal at Libya they didn’t allow me to go. And secondly I got a team at Moldova. The team offered $10,000 but they said they wanted $12,000. The team agreed on the deal but Hearts did not allow me to go”, he told SPORTS LOUNGE exclusively.

“The team sent ticket from time to time, but the managers have bounced all to the extent that the team is now tired. They are going to play in the Europa League and I want to be there”, he added.

“I call both Togbe and Hackman and they don’t pick. I’m very disappointed. I’m not the only player. Every player who is about to leave becomes a problem. They don’t think about the players’ future. They are rather thinking about the team. No one doesn’t get the opportunity that I have gotten “.

“I have one more year left on my contract and I have no intentions of renewing it when it expires”.

The 24 year old also articulated his desire to use that as an opportunity to play for the senior national team, the Black Stars.

“To me am aiming to come and play the Black Stars when I leave because it is clear that when you are playing locally it will be difficult for you to play in the Black Stars team”. But all that I will say is that am very disappointed in the team”, he affirmed.

Nuru, was part of the local Black Stars team that won silver at the 2014 CHAN tournament in South Africa and was highly tipped to make the Black Stars 30-man provisional list prior to the FIFA World Cup but failed to make the cut which was named by head coach Kwasi Appiah.

By Frank Darkwah

Follow Frank Darkwah on twitter.@Blaqqkoffi

ACCAM SCORES IN HELSINGBORG 2-1 LOSS

Ghana striker David Accam scored in Helsingborg 2-1 loss to Kalmar FF in a friendly match on Monday night.

Accam a product of  the Right to Dream soccer Academy scored in the 33rd minute to draw his side level after Kalmar FF midfielder Ismael Lima Silva’s had shoot his side in the lead just 11th minute into the game. But the Ghanaian forward’s effort was too little as Archford Gutu netted the match-winner in the 75th minute for Kalmer  to end  the game 2-1 in favor of the away side.

Accam could not make the final 23-man squad that represented Ghana at the 2014 World Cup after making the initial 30-man provisional list.

The forward last season scored 13 goals in 17 appearances in both the Allsvenskan and the Cup games and will be counting on his impressive scoring form in this seasonal break period to put up a positive showing for Helsingborg when the Swedish top flight resumes after the World Cup.






By Frank Darkwah
Follow Frank Darkwah on twitter.@Blaqqkoffi