Ghana's veteran goalie 'Olele' turns subject of Twitter banter : 'Olelefacts'

Ghana Black Stars' veteran goalkeeper, Richard 'Olele' Kingson continues to receive loads of criticism and fun-making, following his return to the goal-post of the National soccer team in over two years, ahead of the Egypt clash from Ghanaians. The 35-year old goalie was the nation's safest pair of hands in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups held in Germany and South Africa respectively. His absence from the national team was due to his failure to acquire a club for playing time according to the FA's president, Kwasi Nyantakyi. 'Olele', as popularly known, earned a call-up to the side again, after impressing the technical directorate of the national side headed by Coach Akwasi Appiah in far away Cyprus, where he plies his trade. He was called to bolster the goalkeeping area, ahead of Ghana's final round of qualifier with the Pharaoh's of Egypt for Brazil 2014 World cup in a two-legged tie. The playoff will see Ghana host Egypt first before a reverse trip to Cairo in mid-November. However, a large number of Ghanaian supporters have shown their disapproval to 'Olele's return to the team and has become the subject of a new trend on twittersphere: #olelefacts. Below are some of the tweets from the Ghanaian folks ahead of the Egypt clash on Tuesday at the Baba Yara Sports stadium. "@Bonsam_Mpo_Suro - Olele headed the America expedition with Christopher Columbus ! (The land of gold) #olelefacts" ; "@BlackMyth_ - And yaa asantewaa whispered to olele "I know you're my elder brother but lemme take this shot" #Olelefacts" ; "@ettennareal - Olele cleared the table after the last supper #OleleFacts" "@Bonsam_Mpo_Suro - According to greek mythology there are 10 planets , one is called OLELE !!! #olelefacts" ; "@TinaAikins06 - The popular stadium song"Ooley oley oley oleey" was in reference to Olele in his hey day in the 1920s..he was a striker then." ; "@fredkinxx OKomfo Anokye went to look for Olele's birth certificate and never came back.....#olelefacts" Nevertheless, the veteran goalie has vowed to put all his critics to shame when given the opportunity to prove his worth on Tuesday against Egypt amidst local fans discontent with his age and timing of his recall into the side.

"Now I am ready to face Egypt" : Sulley Muntari

Ghana and AC Milan midfielder, Sulley Ali Muntari was on target twice as his side lost to the Italian Champions, Juventus on Sunday night in the Serie A clash. His brace could not stop the Torino club from clinching all 3points at stake after Andre Pirlo,Sebastian Giovinco and Giorgio Chiellini hit back at the Milan club to secure all points for the 'Old Ladies of Serie A'. In the same game, Kwadwo Asamoah also featured for the Biaconeris as the home side carried the day. Both Asamoah and Muntari will play for Ghana, when they square off with Egypt at the Baba Yara Sports stadium in the first leg of the final round of world-cup qualifiers slated for Brazil, 2014 in a week's time , Tuesday . Ghanaians on Twitter went agog as Muntari scored twice for his Milan side.Sulley Ali Muntari, the former Inter Milan player, opened his account in less than a minute thus 20 seconds before adding another late consolation goal. Muntari looks to have the magic wand against Juventus as he scored against them when he was at Inter Milan and also scored a 'ghost' goal against same club last season but was disallowed. Muntari after the game wrote on his twitter timeline, " Very happy for the two goals last night but unfortunate we lost. We need to keep fighting. Now I am ready to face Egypt with the national team #forzamilan #forzablackstars". Obviously, that was a fair warning to the Pharaohs of Egypt as they head to Ghana for the qualifiers. Both players lasted the entire duration of the game and played instrumental roles for their sides,with Muntari customarily picking a yellow card late in the game.

Asante Kotoko unleash secret weapon - Seydou Bansey

IFFHS Africa Club of the century, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, is enjoying an unprecedented smooth start to the 2013/2014 Ghana Premier League season, thanks to the playing body and good management. The Kumasi-based side is undefeated in this year's campaign. The success of the two-time African Champions, cannot be written with the inclusion of their leadsman, Seydou Bansey. The 23 year-old forward, formerly of Ebusua Dwarfs ,came under heavy criticism due to failure to deliver in last season's campaign in a large number of games featured for the Porcupine Warriors. The attacker has seen fortunes changed this season, by netting in couple of goals, lifting his side to sit atop of the League log comfortably after Matchday 2. His goal-scoring boots were found, after he scored a goal out of 3 against Medeama SC in the Champion of Champions Cup match. Bansey, further went on to score the winning goal for his side ,when they rallied back from a goal down to beat a resilient Aduana Stars away from home in the Week 1 fixture. Then came the local 'El-Classico' ,where he scored the all important lone goal to see his side mount the top of the league table. Bansey is in red-hot form this season, though early days yet,and is knocking every opposition that comes his way. He looks like the secret weapon unleashed by the 22 times Ghana League Champions, this season. The fans will hope he replicates such fine goalscoring form in their subsequent games starting with New Edubiase and coaches of clubs won't stop putting measures in place to tame this in-form striker.

"Change in date for qualifier was done on purpose" Ibrahim Sannie Diarra

Ghana Black Stars will face the Pharaohs of Egypt, in the final round of qualifier for the World Cup to be held in Brazil, 2014. The first leg tie will be played in Ghana, Kumasi to be precise. The initial date for the game was on 13th of October 2013, but was later moved to Tuesday, 15th October. The Ghana Football Association(GFA), through their Public Relations Officer who doubles as the assistant Secretary of the FA, Ibrahim Sannie Diarra, has explained the reasons for the change. In an exclusive interview on Asempa fm, he said "FIFA brought the dates and they were from 11th to 15th of October ,we(Ghana) chose 13th which is Sunday and a traditional day for playing games in the country, initially" Asked what brought the change ,he said "We changed to Tuesday, 15th, because, some Ghanaians raised suggestions that ,it would give the coach two additional days of training with the players, and it was worth noting" He further added "We(FA) also realised that, 15th will be a public holiday ie Eid-Adhar ,and that ,we should honour it and seek blessings from the gods of the land ahead of our game in two days time with Egypt".

TWITTER REACTS TO MIKEL'S GOAL AS BOTH ESSIEN AND BOATENG ARE SIDELINED

Nigeria's John Obi Mikel, scored his first Chelsea goal in as many games you can think of, on Saturday against Fulham at Stamford Bridge whereas Ghana duo, Essien and Boateng did not get the nod to feature for their clubs in the same match. Michael Essien was an unused substitute for Chelsea as they defeated Fulham by two goals to nil. Essien continues to await his first game this season. Derek Boateng was not on bench for Fulham much more featuring. Elsewhere, twittersphere went gay as Mikel Obi got his first goal for his club side in as many years. Let's take a look at some reactions from all and sundry: "That's it, the world is over. Pack your bags, head to high ground. MIKEL makes it 2-0. #CFC— Chelsea In America (@CFCInAmerica)" ; "He scores when he wants', sing the fans, who urge Mikel to shoot every time he touches it. #CFCLive— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc)" "Aleluia!! My friend John Obi Mikel scored his first goal for Chelsea FC in 261 games. OMG!! #cfc— Juliano Belletti (@julianobelletti)" ; "Oscar: "Mikel scored his first goal for Chelsea? I'm not surprised, he always scores in training. [laughs]"— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats)" "Have you ever seen Gerrard win the league? No. Have you ever seen Mikel score a goal? Yes.— Dami (@TheChelseaWay)" ; "185 - No outfield player has made more appearances in the @premierleaguebefore scoring their first goal than John Obi Mikel. Wait.— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)" Bizarre.

GHANA DUO SET TO FACE EACH OTHER IN LONDON DERBY

Ghana Black Stars' duo, Michael Essien and Derek Boateng could face each other on Saturday, when Fulham visit Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the English Premier League. Michael Essien is yet to play a competitive game for Jose Mourinho's side this season and would be hoping for a debut in his second spell at Chelsea, whereas Derek Boateng also has just a handful of games to boast of under Martin Jol. Derek made a switch to the English side this summer, from Ukrainian's Dnipro, but has struggled to settle just like his country-mate Michael Essien also fresh from a loan at Real Madrid. Both would be hoping to get the chance to play a part in Saturday's London derby. Michael Essien who was left out of Chelsea's Champions League squad is hoping for a chance to prove a point to Mourinho according to chelseafc.com in his last interview. AGN understand that, these two midfielders are working hard enough to earn a place in the Ghana team, ahead of their final World Cup playoff against Egypt in October.

BOATENG BROTHERS LOCK HORNS

Kevin-Prince Boateng and his younger brother, Jerome Boateng, will go head-to-head on Saturday when their respective clubs, Schalke 04 and Bayern Munich clash in the German Bundesliga. The match will witness brotherhood renewed, should Jens Keller and Pep Guardiola select these brothers of different international backgrounds. This will be the first time the two brothers will square off at opposite ends of the field, since KP Boateng's return to the Bundesliga in the summer transfers. The Ghanaian International KP Boateng has sent a fair warning message to his younger brother according to goal.com "on Saturday,we will have no brothers for 90 minutes.I've already told him, I will do that" The game is expected to be a good game for neutrals considering the good run of performances exhibited by both clubs domestically and in Europe. Kevin-Prince Boateng and Julian Draxler have already formed a deadly partnership on the field of play, with couple of goals and assists shared between them. German international, Jerome Boateng would have a tough time in the away fixture if selected, to tame his in-form elder brother come Saturday at the Veltins-Arena.

PHOBIANS FIRE WARNING SHOTS AT PORCUPINES AHEAD OF SUNDAY EPIC CLASH

Week 2 of the Ghana Premier League presents the clash, of the two most successful clubs in the country on Sunday, at the Accra Sports Stadium between Hearts of Oak SC and Asante Kotoko SC. The game could not have come any better than now, in that, both clubs are joint on top of the League log with 3points apiece, from matchday 1. The two sides share a total of 42 league titles. Not only 3points is at stake on Sunday; the claim for bragging right is also at stake for the fans of both sides, and the game is also a potential decider of where the title could go. Players and management have not left fans alone to do the traditional bragging, prior to such titanic encounter. From the Hearts of Oak camp, the playing body and Managing Director, as well as the Assistant coach have added their voices. Speaking on Peace fm, MD of Hearts, Neil Armstrong Mortagbe said "We assure our fans that, by the end of the game, INSHA ALLAH, Hearts will win". Gilbert Fiamenyo, striker, was also quick to add "this is our EL-CLASSICO, we are not going for a draw, we will beat them[Kotoko] hands down" Ben Adjei, assistant coach of Hearts of Oak also added "Nobody will go into a game with losing mentality.Hardwork will see us through". Kofi Abanga ,a midfield dynamo for the Phobians, also gave the final warning shot at the Porcupines "we are under no pressure, we will surely beat them[Kotoko] ,no two ways".

RANGERS READY FOR NEXT ACTION ON GHALCA

Ghana League Clubs Association(GHALCA), has been threatened by Enugu Rangers FC of Nigeria, over unpaid monies during the Annual President's Cup Invitational Tournament held on Ghana's Republic day, July 1. The Nigerian club has not been paid the amount due, according to the club's CEO, Ozor Paul Chibuzor, by GHALCA. The Enugu based club placed fourth in the annual tournament back in July. AGN understands that, the club has exhausted all means to reclaim the outstanding monies and are bent on using the next appropriate channel to get the arrears settled; thus participation fee and other allowances which were promised them by GHALCA. Speaking on Happy fm, CEO of the club, Mr. Ozor Paul Chibuzor said "There was an agreement of certain amount to be paid to the club...nothing has been done", he further added "through our state FA, we've done everything to settle this amicably but to no avail". The club is ready to take GHALCA to CAF and FIFA to claim their unpaid monies as the next line of action.

'SEEDING OF TEAMS WAS IRRELEVANT'

Concerns have been raised by stakeholders of football in the country following the aftermath of CAF's draw for the final round of qualifiers for the prestigious global tournament in less than a year.

A large minority of the stakeholders especially the fans have shown clearly their discontent over the continent's footballing body by making their voices loud and clear. Ironically less than a few expressed their disapproval of the decision by CAF and FIFA prior to the draw couple of days back;the decision was heavily condemned after some draws didn't go as anticipated by fans.

Local fans were not pleased to know that the Black Stars of Ghana had to play their rivals the Pharaohs of Egypt second leg in the latter's home after the draw was made. The condemnation and chastisement followed suit. 

Amidst such atmosphere, a renowned supporter and a staunch follower of Hearts of Oak: Maxwell Asabere added his voice to the subject matter. "The seeding of teams was irrelevant on the part of CAF. Every team qualified for this round topped their groups and deserve equal right in terms of this play-off" speaking on Happy fm.

He threw more light on the fact that he was surprised Ghanaians panicked because the Black Stars were seeded and everybody assumed the team deserved that spot per FIFA rankings.

This has left more room for followers of the game to ask further questions about the competence and fairness of the continent's governing body.