Sports
GoldStars GPL feat no fluke
No prophet in Ghana would have been taken serious with prophesies of Bibiani GoldStars becoming the new champions of the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League (GPL).
That is not to take anything away from Coach Frimpong Manso, an Asante Kotoko legend, and his boys for the yeoman’s job they did in the just ended season.
They deserve every bit of the plaudits coming from well-wishers.
They came, they saw and conquered on their fourth year (2021/2022 season) in the elite stage of Ghana football.
Of course, this can only be a reality in the end but not a sound prediction at the start of the season.
But, so has it been. Stories like that of GoldStars sharply brings to mind a similar fairytale orchestrated in the advanced English Premier League (GPL) with the 2015/16 edition.
In the face of the Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool dominance, Leicester emerged with a bang, conquering every hurdle in sight with unsung heroes like Jamie Vardy, Wilfred Ndidi, Shinji Okazaki, Leonardo Ulloa, Danny Drinkwater, Robert Huth, Riyad Mahrez and others.
There was no indication of that sort at the start of the season.
As usual, the focus was on the aforementioned heavyweights but Leicester took the competition by storm to record a historic win.
Back home, the GoldStars story is not different. Despite the recent struggles by perennial favourites, Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, the two have always found their ways in fans prediction regarding the side to emerge winners.
Interestingly, both sides just managed to end up in the top four after Nations FC’s decision to abandon a game against Basake Holy Stars who cost them dearly, in the end, forfeiting the said game and going ahead to suffer a further three points deduction penalty.
Nations FC were actually the top favourites for the title until that ill-fated match against Basake Holy Stars.
Campaigning for the second year in the competition, very few followers of the game gave the Timber giants any chance.
But in the same ‘Rambo’ style, teams like Medeama SC and Aduana Stars descended on the GPL, GoldStars emerged with all guns blazing, strategically employing a tactic of making the Dun’s Park in Bibiani, a waterloo for visiting teams.
On a few occasions, they sprung surprises on the journey, recording a few upsets against gullible teams including Hearts of Oak in Accra.
They had a promising coach like Frimpong Manso who is yet to establish himself among the elites local coaches maybe because he is yet to work with any of the established club sides in the country.
But winning the local competition with a less endowed club makes you a legend, and truly, he has become one.
To management and other members of the technical team, one could only congratulate them for a job well executed.
The players have a huge role to play in proving that the feat was no fluke and that GoldStars has come to stay; and would continue to make an impact in the local game.
Much is not known about these players except Vincent Atinga who plied his trade with Hearts of Oak and Medeama SC. Others like Samuel Attah Kumi, Frank Amankwah, Kelvin Oppong, Charles Gyamfi Kamara, Abdul Farouk Amoaful, Gideon Anaba, Samuel Acheampong, Foster Agyei and Yakubu Haqq remain emerging talents aiming to carve a niche for themselves.
Definitely with the new challenge, some areas of the team would be strengthened as they face the finest sides on the continent.
Another season with a new champion should also serve as a wake-up call for the likes of Hearts or Oak and Asante Kotoko to quickly return to their glory days lest they lose their enviable place among the football elite clubs. Well-done GoldStars.
By Andrew Nortey
The management of Asante Kotoko Sporting Club has assured its supporters that steps are being taken to appoint a substantive head coach following the team’s recent poor performances.
In a statement issued by the club’s Communications Director, Sarfo Duku Esq., the board acknowledged concerns raised by fans over the absence of a permanent coach and the team’s current form.
He said the club understands the high expectations that come with representing Asante Kotoko and admitted that recent results have been disappointing.
“The Board is actively working to appoint a competent substantive head coach whose philosophy aligns with the long-term ambitions of the club,” he stated.
Mr. Duku explained that the club is taking its time to ensure the right candidate is selected, adding that management remains committed to restoring the team to its expected standards.
He apologised to supporters for the team’s recent performances and assured them that decisive steps are being taken to improve results.
In the meantime, he called on fans to remain loyal and continue supporting the team in the remaining matches of the season.
Asante Kotoko, one of Ghana’s most successful football clubs, has faced increasing pressure from supporters following a string of poor results in recent games.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Sports journalist, Dan Kwaku Yeboah has expressed mixed reactions to the decision by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to part ways with former Black Stars coach Otto Addo, describing it as correct but poorly timed.
Speaking on the development with ghanaiantimes.com.gh ‘s Edem Mensah-Tsotorme, he explained that although the decision to remove Otto Addo may be justified, the timing could affect the team’s preparation for the upcoming World Cup.
He noted that the newly appointed coach has only a few weeks to work with the team before the tournament begins, making it difficult to make any significant impact.
According to him, the team has just two friendly matches scheduled in May ahead of the competition, leaving a very short period between those games and the start of the World Cup.
He stressed that it would be unrealistic for any coach to fully understand the squad and implement effective strategies within such a limited time.
Dan Kwaku Yeboah urged Ghanaians to manage their expectations, warning that expecting outstanding performance under the circumstances could lead to disappointment.
He added that football can be unpredictable, and while the team could still perform well, fans should remain cautious in their hopes.
The astute sports journalist concluded that if the team performs beyond expectations, it would be a welcome outcome, but supporters should not put too much pressure on the new coach and players.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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