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Locker Room Bonus increment can improve performance
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The news of an increment in the novelty Locker Room Bonus for Ghana Premier League (GPL) players is surely a positive one for many of them, if not all.
It gives credence to the belief or adage that every beginning is difficult, but it gets easier from there on.
It has generated excitement among the players who are the main beneficiaries of this initiative from the Premier League sponsors, betPawa.
What this means is that from an initial amount of GhȻ150.00 paid to every single player captured on the Team Sheet of winning teams via MoMo, players are now set to receive GHȻ400.00 each as winning bonuses.
That is to compliment what their respective clubs pay as winning bonuses.
But what is been acclaimed today was a huge subject for contention with betPawa on one side and the clubs, and by extension their umbrella body, the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) on another side.
One even wondered why clubs should raise objections over such a laudable idea which in the long term will ease pressure of paying bonuses to players on them.
But to be fair, the position of the clubs was not to oppose the idea but its modus operandi.
The clubs wanted to be recipients of this money and disburse to players instead of allowing a betting company to have such important details like players registered phone numbers and deal with them directly.
Some of the fears the clubs harboured were not misplaced, though especially in an era where betting syndicates have got the flak for influencing games even in more advanced leagues.
The story is not different in Ghana where clubs have been demoted for their involvement match-fixing.
And, guided by the history of clubs and payments of such bonuses, betPawa stood their grounds and finally, it kick-started and just a year after, it has been increased.
This is a good move worth commending. It will not just promote competition among the teams that would be striving to win match after match.
Among the players, it will also promote a healthy competition since it will apply to only players that form the match day squad.
Players can also make a lot of money within a month, even more than what they are paid by their respective clubs, if they are able to embark on a winning spree.
It is therefore the more reason why partners of the league must work together to maintain this collaboration to ensure competition among players and clubs to make the league attractive to the fans as well.
The level of competition in the league has been a major headache for stakeholders in recent times and is reflecting in the performances of the clubs in Africa.
It has taken Ghanaian clubs years and counting to start performing in Africa club championships to force the hands of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to restore the two slots each allotted Ghana in club competitions.
The player exodus is also yet to be curtailed because the local league is still not attractive enough for selectors of the Black Stars.
Players must still play abroad before standing any chance to don the Black Stars jersey. Those that are given the chance just go to warm the bench.
But such initiatives can go a long way to restore player confidence since football is driven by laurels ad huge financial motivations that comes with it. Kudo to betPawa.
By Andrew Nortey
Accra Hearts of Oak and Dreams FC will headline Matchday 5 of the Ghana Premier League when the two sides meet at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium tomorrow, with both clubs seeking a result that could shape their early season campaign.
The encounter comes at a crucial moment for the two sides with the Phobians looking to recover from their first defeat of the campaign and Dreams still searching for their first victory after four matches.
The Rainbow lads started the season strongly but were beaten 1-0 by Karela United last weekend, while Dreams suffered a slim 1-0 defeat to Bechem United.
Hearts had earlier recorded impressive victories over Berekum Chelsea and Bibiani Gold Stars before drawing goalless with Bechem United, leaving the club with seven points from their opening four matches.
Their defeat at Karela United, however, means they will be under pressure to quickly return to winning ways against a Dreams side determined to make home advantage count.
Dreams, meanwhile, have endured a difficult beginning to the campaign and will see tomorrow’s fixture as an opportunity to change their fortunes.
The ‘Still Believe’ side have collected points from only their opening draws and are yet to register a victory, making the meeting with one of the country’s traditional giants an important test of their character.
Elsewhere, Vision FC will welcome Bibiani Gold Stars to the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex today, with both teams looking to strengthen their positions.
Vision have shown encouraging form in the early stages, while Gold Stars will be seeking a response after suffering a 2-0 home defeat to newcomers Port City FC.
At the Debibi Presby Park, newly promoted Debibi United will face defending champions Medeama SC tomorrow.
Medeama finally opened their account with a convincing 4-1 victory over Basake Holy Stars and will be hoping that the result marks the beginning of a stronger title defence.
Port City FC will continue their impressive debut campaign when they host Bechem United at the Daasebere Boamah Darko II Park.
Basake Holy Stars will attempt to recover from their heavy defeat to Medeama when they host Berekum Chelsea at the Ampain AAK II Sports Arena.
Aduana FC will welcome Swedru All Blacks to the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park after producing one of the weekend’s most notable results last Sunday.
At the Kpando Stadium, Heart of Lions will host FC AshantiGold ’04 in another meeting between sides coming off victories.
FC Samartex 1996 will meanwhile welcome Young Apostles FC to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, with the home side seeking to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
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Tuesday, September 29, 2026 would go into the annals of Ghana football as one of the darkest days for the Black Stars.
In an AFCON 2027 qualifier against The Gambia, the Black Stars did not only break the hearts of the fans, but conceded a defeat that left followers with sleepless nights.
Coming from a Matchday 1 defeat to the Elephants of La Cote d’Ivoire in Bouake, the outcome of the second game against The Gambia was one that was non-negotiable.
It had the ability to spark a revival to contend for one of the slots for the next AFCON showpiece.
The Gambia is a formidable side but definitely, not one to have frustrated Ghanaians to watch in pain and awe the Black Stars lose a game from a winning position.
That is a possibility in the game of football but when the stakes are high in such cases, it becomes unacceptable to the fans.
And grievously has Carlos Queiroz answered the massive call for his resignation.
At his post-match press conference, he made it clear that bowing out was the easiest decision but insisted that would not solve the myriad problems facing the Black Stars.
For the coach to be fired two days after that declaration raises a lot of concerns as he seem to be aware of existing problems the FA may even not know.
Unfortunately, coaches over the years have always been sacrificial lambs in situations of this nature but when he talks about particular problems affecting the team, his sack leaves much to be desired.
That aside, it is important to also take another look at the country’s pool of players, both local and foreign based.
Some of us have been advocates for forming the Black Stars around the ever-present local players who may lack the skill, finesse and flamboyance believed to give the foreign based players the edge over their local counterparts.
The locals, however, compensate that with their commitment and dedication.
Sadly, it appears this consistent call have fallen on deaf ears and no one wants to give any attention to that.
If the fear is that results would be poor, then that would be no excuse again following outcomes of the Stars in their last two games.
From what was witnessed in Bouake and Accra, one can confidently boast that there isn’t much difference between the foreign based players and the locals.
If there is any, it would probably be the treatment given to the two sets of players.
The call on the FA now is to give major consideration to the local players. Any coach that sees no good in the local players must have no business handling the national team.
That does not also shut the door on the ‘foreigners’. We witnessed how the early 90s teams were beautifully blended to have a formidable team.
It is time the FA goes back to the basics. With the locals, there can be more camps, leading to improved cohesion. Any foreign based player invited must settle into the team quickly and make a difference. That is the only way to rescue the Black Stars from its free fall.
By Andrew Nortey
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