CHAIRMAN: Kotoko will be relegated if........

Brong Ahafo Regional Circles Chairman for Asante Kotoko Sc, Kingsley Abeyie, has warned officials of the club to solve internal problems or else the most successful Ghana Premier League club will be relegated at the end of the season.

According to him, the team now plays with no sense of urgency because the players and officials are divided and that reflects in the kind of play by the team.

He alleged that the team discriminates in paying of winning bonuses saying “if players are been payed their wining bonuses, some players are been paid more than the others because they are players of some top officials of the club. Some take GHC400 whiles some are paid GHC500 and GHC600.”

This inequality he noted, reflects in the kind of play exhibited by the players on the field and if steps are not taken to address the issue, the team may go on relegation.

“My brother, what I saw in the Kotoko team yesterday was just heartbreaking. The team is divided. The politics in Kotoko is depressing. I don’t blame the coach for any of our plight, it is the management I will blame."

He alleged that the Kotoko team owes players some bonuses and salaries and that also accounts for the bad play of the team.

“The team owes the players some bonuses and that is also contributing to the team’s woes. As players they need motivation to be able to play very well, and that is lacking in the team.”

He indicated however, that the woes of Kotoko is not the fault of the coach, David Duncan and his technical  adding that officials of the club have herculean problems and until that is solved, the team will continue to sink.

He impressed on the current administration to call for a stakeholders meeting for supporters to make their problems known in order to revive the sinking fortunes of the team.

Black Starlet eyes win over South Africa to defend title

The Black Starlet of Ghana are on the verge of defending the title as they lock horns with the Amajimbos of South Africa in the ongoing four nation tournament in Namibia today.

Paa Kwesi Fabian and his charges will seek for a three straight win as they take on South Africa U-17 side this afternoon at the Khuisebmond Stadium.

Ghana opened the competition on a brighter note as they walloped the host nation Nambia by 8-0.
Before beating the Germany U-17 team (Westphalia) two goals to one on Thursday.

Striker David Cudjoe is leading the competition scoring chart  with five goals in two games.
He netted four goals in the 8-0 win over Namibia and a goal against the Westphalia of Germany.

The game will Kickoff at 16:00pm before the homesters, Namibia battle out with Germany at 18:00 at the same venue.

Defender Cesar Azpilicueta has signed a new five year contract.

Let me play in Brazil even for just 5 minutes - Laryea Kingston

The clubless midfielder Laryea
Kingston feels his resume is
incomplete without a World Cup
appearance. The 33-year-old is
still determined to play for Ghana
at the 2014 World Cup even if it’s
for just five minutes.
“It is the dream of every player to
be in the national team and
everyone knows I have given a lot
to the national team but have
never played at the World Cup.
“So if I get the opportunity again,
why not. Even just five minutes at
the World Cup will do.
“Even being with the squad for
the World Cup, if even it is for just
five minutes, I will be a complete
man.”
The ex Heart of Midlothian
midfielder was once an integral
member of the Black Stars –
forming a feared midfield
partnership with Stephen Appiah,
Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari.
But Kingston missed an
opportunity to play at the 2006
World Cup due to a ban having
helped the Black Stars throughout
the qualification series.
“I was a key player in the national
team. I helped the team
throughout two World Cup
qualifiers.
“But I have never gotten the
opportunity to play there and that
is why I am so determined to
make it there.
He was again dropped from the
final squad for the 2010 World
Cup in South Africa.
The former Lokomotiv Moscow
man fees his career is never
fulfilled by the deficit of not
playing in football’s biggest event
and now wants to give everything
to realise his dream even if it last
the shortest possible time.
“Personally I have my target in
football, trust me, if I had played
in the World Cup before, I
wouldn’t even think about playing
again for the national team,” he
told GHANAsoccernet. com.
“But I feel in my career that is the
only thing I need to complete my
CV. So it is something that really
worries me, I have to be very
honest.
“I am still active; I am still playing
so if I get the opportunity to play
for the national team again, why
not", he said.

World Cup trouble for Dauda as Orlando Pirates rule out releasing benched Ghana goalkeeper

South African side Orlando Pirates
have ruled out releasing
goalkeeper Fatau Dauda to go on
loan next month, damaging the
shot-stopper’s chance of being
Ghana’s first choice at the 2014
World Cup in Brazil in June.
Even though Orlando Pirates
coach has stated categorically
Dauda is only his third choice
goalkeeper, the club’s
administrator Floyd Mbele insists
the Ghana shot-stopper will not
leave the club during the winter
transfer window.
“Dauda has a contract with us
and I don’t know why people are
making this an issue,” Mbele told
KickOff.com
“This is like asking you to leave
Kick Off and join Soccer Laduma
when you have a contract with
your current employers.
“We have spoken to Dauda and
the coach in Ghana has spoken to
our coach. He understands the
situation.”

Arsenal’s Wenger: Wilshere thinking ‘what Ramsey can do, I can do as well'

Arsène Wenger's side are top of the Premier League table

Arsène Wenger believes Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has been inspired by Aaron Ramsey’s start to the season.

The England international scored either side of half-time to help the Gunners secure a comfortable 2-0 victory over Marseille and cement their place at the top of Champions League Group F.

Ramsey has already scored 11 goals in 19 appearances in all competitions this season, and Wenger reckons Wilshere feels pressure to add goals to his game, like the Welshman is doing.

When asked if he was wrong in his assessment that Wilshere wasn’t a regular goal-scorer, Wenger replied: “If I’m wrong, I’m happy! I liked his first goal.

“Before, he rushed a little bit. He’s starting to think ‘what Ramsey can do, I can do as well’.

“He’s calm in front of goal and especially the first goal shows that.”

The Arsenal manager went on to play down the rivalry between Ramsey and Wilshere – but admitted he does want the England midfielder to score more goals.

“My comment about Aaron was a joke but I think that it puts in his mind that he has to score goals as well, certainly when you play football you want your midfielders to score goals,” he added.

Suarez Tells Liverpool To Buy Youngster

Luis Suarez has reportedly recommended young Uruguayan striker Kevin Mendez to Liverpool as several teams monitor his progress following a strong U17 World Cup performance.

According to the Mirror, Liverpool are just one of a list of top European clubs that are interested in signing the Penarol forward, including Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan.

The article suggests that should any club want to make an official move for the 17-year-old in January they will have to spend £3million.

Mendez was one of Uruguay’s stand out players in the U17 World Cup played between October and November in the United Arab Emirates, scoring two goals in five appearances.

The Uruguayan is not the first player to be linked with a move to the Premier League following a successful World Cup showing with the likes of Valmir Berisha from Sweden and Kelechi Iheanacho from winners Nigeria being highlighted for a move.