Sports
Ghana Premier League: Asante Kotoko SC Coach Karim Zito expresses disappointment after Heart of Lions defeat
Asante Kotoko head coach Karim Zito has expressed his disappointment after their 3-1 defeat to Kpando Heart of Lions in the Ghana Premier League.
Coach Zito speaking to the media after the game, believes that it was an opportunity for his side to close the wide gap after league leaders Meadeama SC defeat to Nations FC last Friday.
The Porcupine Warriors headed into the match with renewed hope after Medeama dropped points a day earlier, knowing a victory would significantly strengthen their title push. Instead, Kotoko fell short, leaving Zito frustrated despite what he described as thorough preparations.
“This is football. I honestly was not expecting this scoreline because we prepared very well for the game,” Zito said. “Most of the goals we conceded came from set-pieces. We worked a lot on defending and attacking set-pieces in training, so maybe today could just be one of our bad days.”
“Medeama lost yesterday and today was our chance to close the gap. Honestly, I feel very disappointed. And I was not expecting this result because in terms of preparation, we worked very hard. We prepared extremely well,” he added.
“Kpando is always a very difficult place for Kotoko to come and play. But putting that aside, I had a plan to at least win this game. Unfortunately, it didn’t go the way I wanted it to.”
Asante Kotoko SC, despite the defeat are 3rd on the league standings with 35 points and will be hosting Hearts of Oak in the Super clash at the Baba Yara Stadium next week.
Ghanaian International Brandon Thomas-Asante continued his fine form for Coventry City during their resounding victory over Swansea City in the English Championship on Saturday.
The Black Stars attacker saw 62 minutes of action as Coventry City romped to a commanding 3-0 away win in the Matchday 39 fixture at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Thomas-Asante shot Coventry City shot ahead with a smooth penalty kick in the 32nd minute.
Coventry City doubled the tally six minutes after Thomas-Asante’s goal when England international Matt Grimes scored in the 38th minute, making life difficult for Swansea City.
Thomas-Asante in Ghana squad for two friendlies
The visitors continued their onslaught when Japanese forward Tatsuhiro Sakamoto added a third goal before the break to effectively put the game beyond Swansea City.
Coventry City comfortably saw out the game to claim all three points and strengthen their position on top of the league standings with 80 points, nine points better than second placed Middlesbrough from 39 games.
Thomas-Asante has now scored 12 goals and four assists in 27 Championship appearances.
His contributions for Coventry City could pave a way for his inclusion into the Ghana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He made Otto Addo’s squad for Ghana’s two international friendlies against Austria and Germany this month
The CAF Appeal Board decided that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Appeal Board decided today that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
On the appeal by the FRMF regarding the application of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the CAF Appeal Board made the following rulings:
The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is declared admissible in form, and the appeal is upheld.
The CAF Disciplinary Board decision is set aside.
The CAF Appeal Board further finds that the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is upheld.
It is declared that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
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In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”
The CAF Appeal Board also ruled that:
“The appeal lodged in respect of Mr. Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is partially upheld.
The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that Mr. Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) committed misconduct in violation of Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
The sanction imposed on Mr. Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is amended to a suspension of two (2) official CAF matches, of which one (1) match is suspended.
The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on Mr. Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is set aside.
The appeal lodged in respect of the ball boys incident is partially upheld.
The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is responsible for the conduct of the ball boys during the aforementioned match.
The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the ball boys incident is reduced to USD 50,000.
The appeal lodged in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is dismissed.
The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is confirmed.
The appeal lodged in respect of the laser incident is partially upheld.
The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the laser incident is reduced to USD 10,000.
Sports
Coach Otto Addo announces Black Stars squad ahead of Austria, Germany International Friendlies
Otto Addo has named Ghana’s squad for this month’s international friendlies against Austria national football team and Germany national football team.
Ghana will be playing two friendlies as part of Preparations towards the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in USA,Canada and Mexico.
Squad Breakdown
Goalkeepers:
Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen)
Benjamin Asare (Accra Hearts of Oak)
Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s Athletic)
Defenders:
Patrick Pfeiffer (SV Darmstadt)
Derrick Luckassen (Pafos FC)
Derrick Kohn (Union Berlin)
Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir)
Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjaelland)
Kojo Oppoong Pepprah (OGC Nice)
Jonas Adjetey (VFL Wolfsburg)
Marvin Senaya (Auxerre)
Alexander Djiku (Spartak Moscow)
Gideon Mensah (Auxerre)
Midfielders:
Thomas Partey (Villarreal)
Elisha Owusu (Auxerre)
Ibrahim Sulemana (Cagliari)
Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo)
Forwards/Wingers:
Brandon Thomas Asante (Coventry City)
Jordan Ayew (Leicester City)
Prince Adu (Viktoria Plzen)
Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah)
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City)
Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City)
Kamal Deen Sulemana (Atalanta)
Daniel Agyei (Kocalispor)
Exciting line-up with a mix of experienced stars like Thomas Partey and Jordan Ayew, plus young talents ready to make their mark.
Ghana found themselves in group L alongside Panama England and Croatia in the FIFA World Cup group.
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