Football Made In Ghana

Kofi Nti Boakye

Kumasi Asante Kotoko put up a brilliant performance to beat New Edubease 2-0 in the 2012 Ghana Super Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Even though coach Mas-Ud Dramani is away on international duty with Ghana’s female U-17 squad, his Kotoko side were in fine form against rivals New Edubease. Kofi Nti Boakye grabbed a brace in the 17th and 46th minute respectively to give Kumasi fans something to cheer about.

With their coach leading the Black Maidens to play some beautiful football, and the team playing well, Kumasi Asante Kotoko fans will be right to feel that this might after all be their year.

But we will have to wait till next week when the Glo Ghana Premier League kicks off to see for ourselves.

Ghana beat China 2-0 to recover from an opening game defeat and reach the Azerbaijan 2012 quarter-finals after a Jane Ayieyam double.

Coming into the game China’s technical style had looked the more accomplished, but buoyed by their 6-0 win over Uruguay, Ghana took the game to the Asian side.

Playing a quicker game and pressing well, the Black Maidens took an early lead through Ayieyam. Taking down Fatima Alhassan’s deep cross superbly, Ayieyam’s resulting effort hit the bar, but she was on hand to tap in the rebound.

As China failed to implement their more intricate style of play in a packed midfield, Alhassan forced Lu Feifei into two superb full-length saves to keep her side in touch.
In a late first half rally, China’s best chances of the half fell to Miao Siwen, first skewing a header wide, then wastefully firing over after showing quick feet in the box.

After the break the game deflated somewhat, with Ghana happy to set on a result that would take them through, with China struggling to break through a packed final third.

As the game ground into something of a stalemate Feifei had to be on her toes to prevent Sherifatu Sumaila’s cross dipping under the bar with 15 minutes to go. As the game went on Ayieyam was the only player brining any impetus to the Black Maidens.

Fittingly it was she who sealed the game for Ghana with her second goal, breaking free in a one-woman counter-attack before slotting calmly under Feifei.

Ghana will face Japan on Friday 5 October.

FIFA

Victoria Adjei

Ghana’s U-17 Women’s team, The Black Maidens, today (26.9.2012) thumped their Uruguayan counterparts by 5 goals to nil. The goals were scored by Jane AYIEYAM (8′), Priscilla OKYERE (24′, 79′), Alberta AHIALEY (45′) and Fatima ALHASSAN (78′).

Ghana dominated the game with 62% of possession out of which 30 attempts were made on goal compared to the 6 shots on goal played by Uruguay. 43% of the shots on goal were on target.

European champions Germany began their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup with a hard-fought victory over Ghana.

The African side began the brighter, with Fatima Al-Hassan forced Merle Frohms into her first notable save of the day, tipping her header round the post after ten minutes.

However, just three minutes later the Africans were behind. Great work by captain Sara Daebritz down the left saw her pick out Venus El-Kassam. Her header was saved but Victoria Adyei could do nothing about Vivien Beil’s follow-up.

It was two before 20 minutes had been played, Pauline Bremer taking the ball down on her thigh at the edge of the box before prodding it past Adyei.

With a two-goal cushion Germany solidified and looked more composed, eliminating the spaces Ghanaexploited early on. The pace of the game suffered as a result.

Ghana came out fighting after the break, with Jane Ayieyam getting behind the German backline only to see her shot flash wide of the post. Sherifatu Sumalia, who was outstanding throughout, almost scored a stunning goal from 40-yards with a vicious freekick that Frohms palmed over.

Ghana finally broke through though, as Frohms was called into action again diving at the feet of Ayieyam. However Issaka collected the loose ball on the left wing, before a neat turn allowed her to square to Ayieyam who slotted in. Germany held out though to begin Azerbaijan 2012 with a win.

The quote
“I thought it was a very, very close game. Both teams had a chance to win, but we were very effective – we scored with our first two chances to get a 2-0 lead. We didn’t perform very well towards the end and can play much better.” Anouschka Bernhard, Germany coach

FIFA

FMiG wishes all Ghanaians happy Happy Founder’s day. Here is a video of Ghana’s first president and the Black Stars!

Udinese 1-1 Anzhi Makhachkala

EMMANUEL AGYEMAN BADU played 58 minutes for Udinese before he was substituted.

Hapoel Tel Aviv 0-3 Atletico Madrid

JOHN PAINTSIL played the full match and picked a yellow card in the 88th minute.

Fenerbahçe 2-2 Olympique de Marseille

A 94th minute ANDRE AYEW header saved the day for Marseille. Andre had earlier on in the 83rd minute created a goal for Valbuena. The spirited player picked a yellow card in the 38th minute. JORDAN AYEW was brought on in the 70th minute. He also got himself in the referee’s book.

xtr0xx_f2-2m-www-fasthighlights-com_sport

NK Maribor 3-0 Panathinaikos

QUINCY OWUSU-ABEYIE started for Panathinaiko. He was substituted in the 70th minute.

Quincy

KRC Genk3 – 0 Videoton FC

BERNARD YAO-KUMORDZI was brought on in the 85th minute.

UEFA CHAMPION’S LEAGUE UPDATE

Dinamo Zagreb 0 – 2 FC Porto:
Christian Atsu came on as substitute in the 71st minute. Atsu provided an assist for FC Porto’s second goal.

Sensational Atsu

Real Madrid 3-2 Manchester City:

The game was closed until Michael Essien was substituted in the 65th minute; then all the 5 goals were scored.

Chelsea 2-2 Juventus:

Kwadwo Asamoah played the entire game, during which he displayed great vision on the left flank.

The Kwadman!

Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 FC Nordsjaelland:

Even though ENOCH ADU KOFI  had a relatively good game, it was not enough to save FC Nordsjaelland.

Enoch Adu Kofi