WAFU tournament set to kick off in Kumasi

Local Black Stars Squad

The WAFU tournament obviously doesn’t come with all the flamboyance and exuberance associated with the Africa Nations Cup but with the gathering of players boosted to showcase what they are made up of, football connoisseurs and fans of Africa football are in to be treated to something worthwhile.

Beginning on Thursday November 21 in Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital, eight nations will battle it out for the right to be named as the best nation in terms of talent in the West African sub-region.

Defending Champions, Togo begin their quest for title defense on Friday against Benin at exactly 1500GMT but before then, there will be plenty of action in Group A as hosts, Ghana, take on Sierra Leone at the Kumasi Baba Yara Sports Stadium before Benin battle it out against Burkina Faso.

Liberia on Wednesday were quickly drafted in to the competition to replace Gabon who opted out citing challenges back home as the reason.

Ghana led by Black Stars assistant coach, Maxwell Konadu will parade players such as Isaac Amoako, Kwabena Adusei, Abeiku Ainooson, Yahaya Mohammed, Jordan Opoku, Michael Akuffu and Richard Mpong all from Kotoko, Moro Abubakari, Nuru Sulley from Hearts of Oak, Edmund Owusu Ansah and Samuel Yeboah from Heart of Lions, Abdul Basit and Jackson Owusu from Berekum Chelsea and Ghana Premier league leading goal scorer, Sulley Mohammed amongst others for the tournament.

Below is the full line up of fixtures for the games that will be played in Kumasi from November 21st to November 28th.

 THURSDAY NOVEMBER 21

1. Ghana vs Sierra Leone (1500GMT)
2. Benin vs Burkina Faso (1700GMT)

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 22

3. Togo vs Niger (1500GMT)
4. Senegal vs Liberia (1700GMT)

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 23

5. Sierra Leone vs Burkina Faso (1500GMT)

6. Ghana vs Benin (1700GMT)

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 24

7. Liberia vs Togo (1500GMT)
8. Niger vs Senegal (1700GMT)

MONDAY NOVEMBER 25

9. Ghana vs Burkina Faso (1600GMT; Baba Yara)
10. Sierra Leone vs Benin (1600GMT; Paa Joe Park)

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 26

11. Togo vs Senegal (1600GMT; Baba Yara)
12. Liberia vs Niger (1600GMT; Paa Joe Park)

THURDAY NOVEMBER 28

13. 3rd Place: Second Group A vs Second Group B (1430GMT)
14. FINAL GAME: Winner Group A vs Winner Group B (1630GMT)

Story prepared by @AngeloBenjy

Hasaacas Ladies crowned Champions of maiden National Women’s League

Victorius Hasaacas Ladies celebrate their triumph

Two carefully taken penalty kicks by Jennifer Cudjoe were enough to ensure that Hasaacas Ladies left the Accra Sports Stadium as the winners of the maiden National Women’s League in Ghana.

They beat their compatriots Fabulous Ladies who had arrived in Accra hopeful of going to Kumasi with the trophy.

Fabulous Ladies had indeed started as the better of the two sides in the first half and took the lead after a penalty was awarded to them by referee Christina Zigah.  Agnes Aduako, who was brought down in the penalty box, got up to convert the kick to put the Kumasi based side in the lead.

Hasaacas Ladies, winners of the southern sector of the women’s league fought back immediately and in the process were awarded a penalty which Jennifer Cudjoe expertly converted.

Hasaacas Ladies continued from where they left off with the pressure but captain Samira Suleman, Diwura Wasila Soale, Jennifer Cudjoe and Elizabeth Cudjoe all failed to take the chances that came their way.

The first half ended one all with the Hasmal Ladies clearly on top of the game.

Hasaacas Ladies continued from where they left off after referee Christiana Zigah whistled for the commencement of the second half.

Though they kept on piling pressure on the defence of Fabulous Ladies and continuously switched play to confuse the already bemused Kumasi side, Hasaacas Ladies failed to get the much needed lead.

Substitute keeper, Opoku Jennifer who had taken the position of former Black Queens number one goalkeeper, Memunatu Sulemana stood between Hasaacas Ladies and a winning goal for long spell of the game.

It was up until the 85th minute that another penalty was awarded to the Green and White shirted ladies which Jennifer Cudjoe yet again converted with precision.

The ladies were obviously excited

The game ended 2-1 with Hasaacas Ladies carrying home a giant trophy and a sum of Ghc 2,000.

Fabulous Ladies were the winners of the Northern sector League while Hasaacas Ladies had triumphed in the Southern sector equivalent of the league fending off challenge from compatriots Bolga Ghatel Ladies,Prisons Ladies,Ashtown Ladies, Lepo Ladies, Ampem Darkoe in the Northern sector and  Soccer Intellectuals, Volta Amalgated, Immigration Ladies, Ayola and Cape Coast Ghatel in the Southern Sector.

Hasaacas Ladies: Ntiwah Beatrice, Suleman Samira, Antwi Regina, Sesu Beatrice, Abambila Ernestina, Egyir Janet, Adu-Boahene Mercy, Diwura Wasila-Soale, Cudjoe Jennifer, Elizabeth Jennifer, Niber Lily (Coach: Yusif Basigi)

Fabulous Ladies:   Opoku Jennifer, Adjei Fatima, Boakye Yiadom Cynthia, Saabi Ama, Anane Belinda, Boakye Portia, Sika Akua, Okyere Priscilla, Boakye Jacqueline, Aduako Agnes, Kusi Alice (Coach: Nana Owusu Sekyere)

 

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Black Stars; New Captain, New Scoreline

Black Stars in celebration mood

And so the Black Stars of Ghana convincingly beat Sudan 4-0 at the Kumasi Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday, March 24, 2013 to send Ghana within one point of group leaders, Zambia who could only play 1-1 with Lesotho in the Southern African country.

Buoyed by the ever vociferous Kumasi football fanatics in the stands, the Black Stars exhibited tenacity and power to wrap all three points without conceding a single goal.

The last time the team played at the same venue, Ghana ran away 7-0 winners against Lesotho.

The captaincy

The Black Stars captain strangely gave the captaincy armband to AC Milan midfielder, Sulley Muntari against Sudan. Commentators had tried to downplay the significance of this act, choosing rather to give Asamoah Gyan thumbs up for being ‘humble’ to give his more senior colleague the chance to lead the Black Stars.

The team eventually won 4-0 with Asamoah Gyan being on the score line and Sulley being decent with his general output. This however does not downplay the gesture that was exhibited; another player being made the captain when the substantive was also on the turf.

I might be asking for too much but in my most honest of thoughts, Asamoah Gyan had to maintain his role unless he is not comfortable with the responsibility of captaining the Black Stars and wants to relinquish his role.

If the coach had taken the decision, it would have received a lot of negative reviews. His endorsement of the act might however bring similar criticisms in some quarters though.

Gyan after the game told reporters he thought it wise to give the band to his senior colleague though he is the captain of the team though for some, it was a laughable reason. Will Gyan act same way anytime more senior colleagues like Sulley Muntari and John Mensah play with the Black Stars? This is a rhetoric the near future will indicate to us all.

The Scoreline

The Black Stars managed to find the back of the net four times with four different players against Sudan.

Gyan tapped in from close range, Wakaso scored from afar before Russia based Majeed Warris scored with a header in the second half.

Midfielder, Agyemang Badu who once played on the turf with Kumasi based Asante Kotoko got the fourth goal for the Black Stars connecting a pass from the right through the nimble foot of Warris.

The goals could have been more than four but do you ask for more in such circumstance? The Stars somewhat seemingly run out of steam in the latter part of the second half allowing Sudan to come up against the Stars’ defence. The North Africans could at least get a consolation but failed to capitalize on the lackluster approach of the Stars.

These Players

Emmanuel Frimpong and Adomah in the dressing room

Emmanuel Frimpong made his debut in Black Stars jersey coming into the game on the 68^th minute in the number 6 jersey. Emmanuel Frimpong speaking to reporters after the game indicated that he will forever cherish the moment; getting his first cap for Ghana on March 24, 2013 at the Kumasi Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Then Abdul Majeed Warris also found the back of the net in the second half. He had struggled to impress days before the AFCON squad was released in a friendly against Cape Verde and was therefore sidelined from the AFCON tourney. He was obviously in Kumasi to prove a point and he did that expertly with his header to put Ghana 3-0 up.

Sulley Muntari was playing for the Stars for the first time in a very long while after injury sidelined him from participating at AFCON 2013. Like Warris, he had come to prove a point and indicate that a starting role was his portion. He duly got the starting role and was privileged to have captained the team when Gyan gave him the armband.

Mubarak Wakaso has suddenly become a gem in the Black Stars team. Aside his undeniably successful crosses into the danger area of opposing teams, Wakaso seems to have always wanted to find the back of the net in a game for team. After scoring on Sunday, he took his tally to 7 in 10 games for the Black Stars.

Black Stars in 2013

A total of nine games (competitive and friendly) have been played by the Black Stars in 2013 with some impressive record though annexing the AFCON 2013 trophy became a mirage the somewhat disappointing performance in South Africa.

Out of the nine game in 2013, the Black Stars have won six games against Egypt, Tunisia, Mali, Niger, Cape Verde and Sudan.

The team has lost twice all at the 29^th AFCON tourney against Burkina Faso (on penalties) and Mali.

The only drawn game coming in this impressive record is the 2-2 draw against DR Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Within this period, the team has in the process scored 21 goals in open play while conceding 8.

The future

The dream is to get to Brazil 2014 undoutedly and though the journey seems topsy turvy, the team with a united purpose can and will surely get to the promised land.

Newer players will get the chance to play in the team depending on their form and so will the current players stick around to cement their places in the team.

The following are the games the Black Stars will have to deal with before they get the chance to play another team in Africa for the chance to go to Brazil.

Ghana 7-0 Lesotho    [ June 1, 2012 ]

Zambia 1-0 Ghana    [ June 9, 2012 ]

Ghana 4-0 Sudan      [ March 24, 2013

Sudan – Ghana         [ June 7, 2013 ]

Lesotho – Ghana      [ June 14, 2013 ]

Ghana – Zambia       [ September 6, 2013 ]

For the games that are left, Ghana soccer fans will hope the team play with same enthusiasm and better conversion rate so they get the chance to play in the final play off for qualification to Brazil 2014.

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Traditional queen fumes: Abedi Pele is the cause of the Ayew problem

Dede Ayew and father, Abedi Pele

For ‘nifahemaa’ of Assin Fosu, Nana Apeatuwaa, soccer maestro, Abedi ‘Ayew’ Pele did not handle matters well when his son, Dede Ayew showed insubordination towards the coach of the Black Stars, Kwesi Appiah in the lead up to South Africa 2013.

Speaking on Accra based Happy  FM on Thursday morning, the queen who obviously sounded more knowledgeable about issues concerning the Black Stars mentioned that lot of issues have gone unnoticed due to the apparent silence of authorities in various positions and so people tend to point accusing figures in the wrong direction.

“Abedi Pele is the problem in Ghana Football. For a man who could not even work with Sepp Blatter at FIFA, how can he work with us?

“He is the problem. Let’s talk about it and stop hiding issues,” she continued.

According to the highly respected and affluent queen, Andre Ayew gave a distasteful response to Kwesi Appiah when the coach called him for the South African tourney but Kwesi Appiah, acting as a father, kept mute over the negative response.

“Kwesi Appiah doesn’t like talking and he has hidden the true nature of the story because he sees himself as the father of the team,” she said.

“Before AFCON, when he (Andre Ayew) was called by Kwesi Appiah after the club had released him, he refused. He was indeed with his father in Burkina Faso exchanging pleasantries with Bless Kampoare.”

When Kwesi Appiah demanded that Andre Ayew joined the team in Ghana, he is believed to have told the coach, ‘what you are saying doesn’t make sense.’

“Why didn’t he (Abedi Pele) caution his son over the action rather than saying he is disappointed in Kwesi Appiah?” Nana Apeatuwaa inquired.

“Abedi had to ask his son to plead for pardon from the coach after the negative response.”

Ghanaian soccer legend, Abedi Pele has come out recently to indicate how disappointed he is in the coach of the Black Stars for the manner in which he handled the matter involving his sons and the Black Stars.

Feeling traumatized after their exclusion from the Black Stars team for the South African 2013 AFCON tourney, the sons of Abedi, Andre Dede Ayew and Jordan Ayew wrote letters to the Ghana Football Association requesting that they are excluded from Black Stars duties for a while as they recover.

The GFA indeed smartly wrote back indicating their displeasure with the Ayews’ decision to be absent from Black Stars duty.  The Olympic Marseille players again responded demanding that their earlier decision be respected by all.

The Black Stars coach, Kwesi Appiah exhibiting maturity and focus, refused to be drawn into a battle of words with Abedi Pele when the soccer maestro indicated that he was ‘disappointed in him.’

The queen from Assin Fosu, in her exchanges on Happy FM demanded that Ghanaians focused on the Black Stars task ahead.

“Ghanaians should rather pray and concentrate on the Sudan game. Let us ask for dedication and commitment from the players and stop worrying  about other issues that could jeopardize our chances for Brazil 2014.”

Black Stars coach, Kwesi Appiah has since the refusal of the Ayews, recently called up a strong 24 man squad about to move into camp for the Sudan game which will be played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Below is the full list of the players that will be preparing for the game against Sudan.

Goalkeepers: Adam Kwarasey (Stromsgodset, Norway), Fatau Dauda (AshantiGold), Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professionals).

Defenders: Harrison Afful (Esperance, Tunisia), Yaw Frimpong (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Richard Kissi Boateng (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Baba Abdul Rahman (Greuther Furth, Germany), John Boye (Rennes, France), Jonathan Mensah (Evian, France), Isaac Vorsah (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria), Awal Mohammed (Maritzburg United, South Africa)

Midfielders: Emmanuel Frimpong (Fulham, England), Rabiu Mohammed (Evian, France), Emmanuel Agyemang Badu (Udinese, Italy), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus, Italy), Sulley Muntari (AC Milan, Italy), Christian Atsu  (FC Porto, Portugal), Wakaso Mubarak (Espanyol, Spain), Solomon Asante (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Albert Adomah (Bristol City, England)

Strikers: Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain, UAE), Abdul Majeed Waris (Spartak Moscow, Russia), David Accam (Helsingborg, Sweden ), Mahatma Otoo (Hearts of Oak)

The endless Phobia menace;another loss and the murmuring resurrects

Coach looks to the skies for help

Accra Hearts of Oak from all indications are struggling to find their rhythm in the 2012/ 2013 Glo Premier League and that is so obvious.

After changing their technical head few games into the league, many were of the conviction that Hearts were set to turn their fortunes around but that seems to have been a mirage.  After five games, new coach, David Duncan is yet to string successive victories and to invoke absolute confidence in his charges.

It might be too early a call for Duncan to get things right but after some silence in his first four games, the Hearts of Oak family seems to be raising their voices of frustration about a technical head again.

Coach C.K Akunnor had been replaced with a fresh sense of belief that Hearts were set to strike the right chords with David Duncan. Duncan in his first competitive assignment had played a somewhat frustrating game against rivals Asante Kotoko in Kumasi to return home with a point. At that stage, all indications pointed to a strategy set for convincing score lines back home on the much favoured Accra turf since their biggest task away from home had been expertly executed.

Coach Duncan did not disappoint as in the next game, he made mince meat of city rivals, Liberty Professionals at home beating them with two unanswered goals.

The magic wand seems to have slipped through the fingers of the supposed ‘Mourinho of Ghana football’. Coach Duncan is not getting it right in subsequent games; at least this seems to the voice of some agitated fans of Hearts of Oak.

It might be too early to question the tactics of the manager but as the saying goes, coming events cast their shadows. Coach Duncan might not be any better than Coach C.K Akunnor if current events are anything to consider with all seriousness.

Hearts have been held by Amidaus at the Tema Park, lost for the first time in 17 years at home to Ashanti Gold (Duncan’s former side) and on Sunday, December 16 lost away to Heart of Lions at Kpando.

Five games; one win, two losses and two draws. The initial 0-0 away draw at Kotoko is counting for little now. The man on the bench didn’t really have any hidden magic to wield in subsequent games.

Hearts of Oak found little difficulty against Heart of Lions on match day 16 in the 2011/12 GPL, beating them 1-0 away from home, but here they stood, stuck up with no ideas as to how to beat Heart of Lions at Kpando or at least force a draw.

The murmurs sit within the phobian family and if the new man at the helm of affairs doesn’t get things right on match day 12 against in-form Aduana Stars, the low toned agitation will erupt into something bigger and worse.

On a day perennial rivals, Asante Kotoko had come from a goal down to win their home game 3-1, Hearts of Oak fans had expected their team to at least pull a draw but that was not to be.

Their local rivals are leading the pack and going stronger as the weeks pass by but the rhythm they so much look for can’t be found.  The nineteen times league champions sit a disappointing 12^th on the league log after match day eleven with 12 points to show; just four points above fifteenth placed Berekum Arsenals.

For a side that is expected to wrestle for top spot on the league table, David Duncan leading his charges to garner only five points from a possible fifteen leaves much to be desired.

To erase the pain that comes with this appalling statistics, Hearts of Oak led by their new manager need to get things right with games against Aduana Stars, Medeama SC and King Faisal yet to come.

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Stephen Appiah not desperate to stay at new club

Appiah training at FC Persepolis

Former Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah insists he is not desperate to play for the Iranian club he was destined to feature for just about a week ago.

Speaking on an Accra based radio station Thursday morning, ‘Tornado’ confirmed that he is indeed not favoured by the coach of the club, Manuel Jose, but he is not desperate to stay at the club.

“The coach has on two occasions sidelined the top players in the team. The fans don’t even know why the coach is doing that,” he said.

“The fans even tell me not to mind the coach because he wants to bring his own players in. So what I have told the president is that I don’t want people to think I am desperate.”

Reports became ripe earlier this week that Coach of FC Persepolis, Manuel Jose, had rejected the ex-Black Stars captain on health grounds.

He indicated that he has already had lot of love from the fans who don’t want him to leave Persepolis.

“Honestly, as I speak to you now, I am in the president’s office and he has indicated to me that no one wants me to leave,” he indicated.

“The fans even on facebook don’t want me to leave.”

The 31 year old Appiah who has already featured for Italian clubs, Udinese, Parma, Ceseana,Bologna, Serbian club,FK Vojvodina and Juventus denied the assertion that he chose the Iranian club because of the financial benefits.

“And of course it is not about the money. The contract is good but it is not about the money. I love football and for that everyone knows .So I just want to play the game.”

“The club president mentioned that he will force the coach to take me but I told him not to force him because I did not come here, (Persepolis), to have any problem with the coach.”

Stephen Appiah quit international football in 2010 after the World Cup in South Africa.

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Is Laryea Kingston a border to his coach? Akunnor seems worried

Laryea Kingston

Hearts of Oak coach, C.K Akunnor might have denied rumours that he is having issues with former Black Stars winger and now Hearts kingpin, Laryea Kingston but the coach is definitely worried about the character of the player.

According to the coach, it is never true that he has sacked the talismanic winger from his camp but the one time instrumental winger of the Black Stars should change his ways to get the younger players in the Hearts of Oak set up to follow his steps.

“That is not true. Surprisingly, it has really amazed me,” he said of the rumours making rounds that he has sacked Laryea Kingston from his squad.

Despite claiming this story is fault, Coach Akunnor had something to say to the player.

“Every player is important and players like Laryea must be respected because they have done a lot for Ghana football. But he must also realize that a lot of the young players are looking up to him so he must be a good example to the boys.”

“Laryea was sick last week Thursday but on Saturday he played an exhibition match for Teshie-Nungua and that surprised all of us because he reported sick.”

“What we (technical team) are disappointed in was that he reported sick but went to play in a match in his community,” he stated.

Though such resentment cannot be denied, the coach has not taken any stern stance against the player, at least not as yet, as the experienced winger is reported to be in camp with the other players in the Hearts of Oak set up.

“As we speak now, he is in camp. He arrived yesterday so there haven’t been any problem or whatever,” Coach Akunnor revealed.

“Like I told you, he is part of the team and if I am not going to work with him.”

Coach Akunnor also assured the Phobian family of his team’s preparations for the upcoming season.

“We need to be patient and if we are patient, I am sure we will get somewhere, I am very confident about the team and I am very sure we will do well in the coming season.”

“I am concerned about our tactical play and how we form a good team and I think we are working towards that. Before the end of our pre-season training, we will be okay.”

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C.K Akunnor makes confession about players acquisition

Hearts of Oak Coach, C.K Akunnor

Hearts of Oak Coach, C.K Akunnor is currently in camp with the crop of players he  believes will bring the Phobian family some silverware in the upcoming season but he has confessed that some players he targeted could not be drafted into his side.

“There are about two or three players that we wanted to have in our team but unfortunately, we didn’t get them in,” he said.

“I really wish they were part of us but we didn’t get them so we just have to do with what I have.”

Refusing to mention names of these players, the coach indicated that despite his ‘loss’,  the players in the team are coping in training.

“My players have coped very well so far and to my surprise we had to train three times in a day and they have been able to manage the situation and I am very glad about that.”

“I am not ready to point out some exceptional players in the team but there are some players who have the potential to explode on the local scene when competitions commence.”

Aside wanting to sign Malik Akowuah from Ashanti Gold, the coach at one time indicated intent to lure Kotoko midfielder, Yahaya Mohammed into his fold.

The coach has however been able to poach Seth Owusu, Emmanuel Ansong and  former Heart of Lions striker, Glibert Fiamenyo whom many have questioned his fitness.

“He has been injured for some time now so it is obvious he will put on  some weight and all that but the physical instructor will work on him,” C.K Akunnor said of the new phobia acquisition.

“The physical instructor will work on him to get back to his shape and form. He will do that,” he emphasized.

Coach C.K Akunnor who was speaking on an Accra based radio station on Monday September 3 also indicated that Gilbert Fiamenyo “ hasn’t started training yet” and that “ he is not yet in camp”

Hearts of Oak will come face to face with perennial rivals, Asante Kotoko in the Top Four competition from September 16 and according to C.K Akunnor,  “it is going to be against premiership teams so we will respect that and honour it.”

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Asante Kotoko to showcase new team in October

The League Champions, Asante Kotoko

Local league champions, Kumasi Asante Kotoko will in the first week of October unveil the crop of men that will be leading them to glory in the 2012/13 football season.

Coming into the soccer season with a new technical head and fresher crop of players ready to better the success chalked in the previous season, Kotoko have announced that there will be an extra ordinary programme organised where the coach and the new set of players will be outdoored.

The Porcupine Warrior’s new coach, Mas-Ud Didi Damani was drafted in to take over the realms of Maxwell Kondu after the GPL Coach of the Year was appointed as the assistant coach of the Black Stars.

The Porcupine Warriors have been in the market recruiting new players aside appointing their new technical head most especially because some players have been on their way out of the club.

Players such as former player Eric Bekoe, Ransford Osei, Nurudeen Ali, Seidu Bancey,Musah Issah, Ben Adama, Joseph Ochaya, Godfred Asante, Ofosu Mickey, Touffic Omar and Smallboy Kobbah have all found themselves in the Porcupine camp.

Experienced midfielder,Stephen Oduro; strikers Ahmed Toure and Kofi Nti Boakye look set to ply their trades elsewhere whiles  Defenders Awal Mohammed and Baba Rahman have been transferred and will not be part of the fabulous boys come next season.

Coach Didi Dramani and the new players will be officially unveiled at a grand event expected to take place in Kumasi.

Asante Kotoko’s Executive Chairman, Dr. K.K Sarpong informed fans of this initiative when he addressed them at Swedru in the Central region.

Giving assurance to the fans about the team’s preparation for the upcoming season, Dr.K.K Sarpong also indicated that his leadership is putting in place measures to meet the high expectation of the new season.

Kotoko will return to the Africa Champions League competition in 2013 after emerging as the loca league winners in the 2011/2012 season.

CAF Champions League:Berekum Chelsea and the “Magic Numbers”

Ghana’s representatives in Africa, Berekum Chelsea might not be telling soccer fans across the continent a Cinderella story after all.

Their story so far in the CAF Champions League is one that can’t be a fairy tale by any measure.

Jubilant Berekum Chelsea Players

They are giving soccer fans lot of reason to be taken more seriously and the earlier that is done, the better it will be for the team’s they are in competition with.

Chelsea held TP Mazembe away in Lubumbashi on Sunday July 22 after beating Zamalek 3-2 in Accra two weeks earlier.

Two goals down in the first half, the Ghanaian side managed to pull even as top marksman, Emmanuel Clottey scored twice to deny the Congoloese victory on their new Astro turf.

The two goals scored by the team meant they have scored a total of seventeen goals in the competition so far.

The draw was also Berekum Chelsea’s second in the competition so far.

Let’s play around with the numbers for a better understanding of the team’s performance so far in the completion.

8( Eight)  – Berekum Chelsea have played 8 games so far in the competition after the TP Mazembe game. Their first game being against LISCR of Liberia which they won

 8( Eight)  – The total number of goals conceded by the Berekum side. 6 of them away from home and 2 at home.

5 (Five)  – Berekum Chelsea have recorded 5 wins already in the competition.

2(Two)  – The Berekum side have recorded 2 draws. Cotonsport at home and Mazembe away from home.

17(Seventeen)  –  The team has scored 17 goals so far in the competition.

11(Eleven)  – 11 of their seventeen goals scored were all scored by topscorer, Emmanuel Clottey

1 (One)- Berekum Chelsea have lost just once in the competition so far. The second round 3-0 away loss to Raja Casablanca.

6 (Six) – A total of six players have scored all of Berekum Chelsea’s seventeen goals so far.

5 (Five)  –  Berekum Chelsea have scored the highest number of goals in the group stage after the second round.But they share that honour with Esperance of Tunisia who have scored same number of goals.

Emmanuel Clottey leads the goal scoring chart. Let us see the other boys who have helped him in the goal scoring responsibility.

Emmanuel Clottey – 11 goals

Abdul Basit – 2 goals

Eric Agyemang – 1 goal

Papa Arko – 1 goal

Solomon Asante – 1 goal

Jordan Opoku – 1 goal

Full list of their games so far with the goal scorers

1. LICSR 0-2 Berekum Chelsea  (E. Agyemang/ Prince Arko)
2. Berekum Chelsea 3- 0 LISCR  (E. Clottey 2 goals/ Jordan Opoku)
3. Berekum Chelsea 5-0 Raja Casablanca(E.Clottey 3goals/S.Asante/Abdul Basit)
4. Raja Casablanca 3-0 Berekum Chelsea
5. Berekum Chelsea 0-0 Coton Sport
6. Coton Sport 1-2 Berekum Chelsea  (E.Clottey/Abdul Basit)
7. Berekum Chelsea 3-2  Zamalek (E.Clottey 3 goals)
8. TP Mazembe 2-2  Berekum Chelsea (E. Clottey 2 goals)

Next Games in the Group stage

1. Al Ahly vs Berekum Chelsea          3/4/5 August 2012

TP Mazembe vs Zamalek

1.  Berekum Chelsea vs Al Ahly          17/18/19 August 2012

Zamalek vs  TP Mazembe

1. Zamalek vs Berekum Chelsea 31 Aug/1/2 September 2012

TP Mazembe vs Al Ahly

1.  Berekum Chelsea vs TP Mazembe             14/15/16 September 2012

Al Ahly  vs Zamalek

If you indeed enjoyed reading, share your thoughts with me on this one too. Kindly tell me what you expect to see the next time we deal with the numbers so I consider it too. You can equally follow me @AngeloBenjy on Twitter as we tweet about life and the game we so much love.