In a game where Aduana FC had to play the entire second half with 10 men, goals from Stephen Amankona and Seidu Saana secured all three points for the visitors.

Speaking in his post-match interview, Samuel Boadu applauded his players for what he described as the perfect execution of the game plan.

“Tactically, it was a very good game. Both teams played well. We came in with a tactical plan, and my boys executed the plan very well,” Boadu said after the game.

The coach continued, “After the red card, I told my players to concentrate. I think that worked perfectly. Winning today’s match is massive for us, but we must concentrate more in the game against All Blacks.”

Following the win against Asante Kotoko, Aduana FC are now fourth on the league table with seven points, just one behind league leaders FC Samartex.

Kotoko, meanwhile, are in 12^th position with five points from their first five matches.

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All Blacks looked set to build on their matchday two home win and return to winning ways after last weekend’s goalless draw against Heart of Lions.

But Samartex responded strongly after the break, with substitute Kwaku Owusu coming off the bench to level the scores in the 53rd minute.

Nana Kwaku Agyemang’s side held their ground in the closing stages to claim a valuable point on the road and maintain their position at the top of the league standings.

All Blacks will be left frustrated after letting their lead slip but will have a chance to bounce back when they travel to Dormaa to face Aduana Stars.

Samartex, meanwhile, return to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena to host Young Apostles in their next fixture.

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The defender had indicated that he would do everything possible to be fit for Tuesday’s game, but he has now been ruled out.

Djiku’s absence is another setback for Carlos Queiroz, who will have to make changes to his defence as Ghana look to bounce back from their opening-day defeat.

The experienced defender also missed Ghana’s 2026 World Cup campaign because of injury and had only recently returned to the Black Stars setup.

Ghana will host The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday as they look to secure their first points of the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.

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Kotoko won one, drew two and lost one under Tinkler, with Sunday’s 2-0 defeat by Aduana FC proving to be his final game in charge.

The result left the Porcupine Warriors ninth in the league table and handed Tinkler his first defeat since taking over.

In a statement, Kotoko said the club’s board had accepted the coach’s request to leave despite efforts to persuade him to continue.

“The Board of Directors of Asante Kotoko Sporting Club has agreed to the request of its Head Coach, Mr Eric Tinkler, to be released from his contract with the Club effective immediately for personal reasons,” the club said.

It added that both parties had held “meaningful negotiations” in an attempt to avoid the decision before ultimately respecting Tinkler’s wishes.

The club thanked the former Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City coach for his professionalism during his brief spell in Kumasi and said the technical team would continue under the leadership of director of football Stanley Purl Menzo.

Although his league tenure was short-lived, Tinkler guided Kotoko to victory over rivals Hearts of Oak in the 2026 Democracy Cup at Baba Yara Stadium.

Kotoko’s next fixture is at home to Karela United on Thursday, 1 October, in their Matchday Five league encounter.

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“I was disturbed about his decision. Not only me, but the entire Football Association. However, when you hear him out, you will understand his situation,” Okraku told Asempa FM.

Williams has reportedly been managing persistent pain and injuries, with the 32-year-old also being managed by his club, according to Okraku.

“He has been playing through a lot of pain and injuries, and even at club level, he is being managed,” Okraku said.

“As a Football Association, we were disappointed, but we had to understand. His parents spoke to me and the Football Association and we just have to appreciate what he has done for us as a country.

“I have seen people quoting his numbers but what we have to do is that we have to appreciate his effort.”

Williams switched his international allegiance to Ghana in July 2022 after making one senior appearance for Spain.

He had featured for Spain in a 2016 friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina but later chose to represent Ghana, the country of his parents.

The forward received his first Black Stars call-up in September 2022 under then-head coach Otto Addo for pre-World Cup friendlies against Brazil and Nicaragua.

He made his Ghana debut against Brazil on 23 September 2022, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 3-0 defeat in Le Havre, France.

Williams was subsequently selected for Ghana’s squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he featured in all three group-stage matches.

He returned to the World Cup four years later after being included in Carlos Queiroz’s squad for the 2026 tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Williams started Ghana’s goalless draw against England and the Round of 32 defeat by Colombia. He was an unused substitute in the matches against Panama and Croatia.

His two World Cup campaigns took his total appearances at the tournament for Ghana to five.

Williams scored his first international goal in dramatic fashion in November 2023, heading home in the 96th minute to give Ghana a 1-0 win over Madagascar in their opening 2026 World Cup qualifier.

He scored his second and final goal for the Black Stars against Chad in March 2025 during the same qualifying campaign.

Williams ends his Ghana career with 28 appearances and two goals, having represented the Black Stars at two World Cups and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

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Ivory Coast took the lead shortly before half-time when Malick Yalcouyé marked his international debut with a stunning strike from outside the penalty area.

The midfielder found space on the edge of the box before unleashing an effort that gave Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi little chance, sending the hosts into the break with a 1-0 advantage.

The Black Stars struggled to find a way back into the contest after the interval and their task became more difficult in the 58th minute when Ivory Coast were awarded a penalty.

Franck Kessié stepped up and calmly converted the spot-kick to double the hosts’ advantage.

Ghana protested the decision, with the Black Stars players arguing that there was insufficient contact after Abdul Fatawu Issahaku was adjudged to have brought down Yalcouyé inside the penalty area.

Their protests were unsuccessful, however, and Ivory Coast held on to claim all three points.

For Ghana, the defeat leaves them under pressure ahead of their second Group C fixture against The Gambia, with the Black Stars needing a positive result to get their qualifying campaign back on track.

Gasper acknowledged the disappointment of the result but insisted that Ghana must quickly turn their attention to the next challenge.

“It is not the result we wanted but it is what it is,” Gasper said.

“Ivory Coast are one of the top teams in Africa; we have to respect that [but] we are ready for the next game.”

Ghana will have home advantage when they face The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, with kick-off scheduled for 16:00 GMT.

The Black Stars currently sit bottom of Group C without a point, while The Gambia go into the encounter having made a winning start to their campaign.

Ghana are aiming to return to the AFCON finals after missing the previous tournament in Morocco, ending their long-standing run of appearances at the continental competition.

Carlos Queiroz’s side will therefore be looking to respond immediately against The Gambia and begin rebuilding their qualification campaign with victory on home soil.

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The Moroccan official will be assisted by compatriots Lahsen Azgaou, Yassine Saadaoui and Amir Loucif, who will serve as the first assistant, second assistant and fourth official respectively.

The match will also have officials from across the continent overseeing other key responsibilities.

Liberia’s Sekou Wieh Konneh has been appointed Match Commissioner, while Nigeria’s Abel Baba will serve as the Referee Assessor.

Ghana’s Danny Adotey has been named Broadcast Venue Manager for the encounter.

Kechchaf and his team will be expected to ensure the smooth running of a game that carries significant importance for both sides.

Ghana are seeking a response after losing their opening Group C fixture in Bouaké, while The Gambia will also be looking to put themselves in a strong position in the qualification race.

Carlos Queiroz’s side will therefore be hoping for a disciplined performance from the players as they target a first win of the campaign in front of their home supporters.

The Black Stars face The Gambia on Tuesday, September 29, at the Accra Sports Stadium.

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The activity forms part of the MTN Savannah Fest, which brings a series of community-based activities to Northern Ghana.

Speaking in an interview, MTN Area Sales Manager for the Northern Region, Richard Asamane, said the health walk and screening were designed to encourage residents to exercise, stay fit and know their health status.

He said participants benefited from various health checks, including eye examinations, blood pressure, blood sugar and Body Mass Index assessments, with medical professionals providing advice and referrals where necessary.

Mr. Asamane said the Savannah Fest is part of MTN’s wider regional festival celebrations, alongside Sun City Fest in the Bono area, Ashanti Fest in the Ashanti area and Twin City Fest in the Takoradi area.

He said upcoming activities under the Savannah Fest include a football gala and its finals, a community clean-up exercise, and the DJ Afro Wave concert at the UDS campus on October 2.

The soccer gala finals, scheduled for October 3, will bring the Savannah Fest celebrations in the Northern sector to a close.

Meanwhile, Dr. Daniel Opoku Gyamfi, Executive Director of Savannah Opticals and Eye Care and leader of the medical team for the MTN Savannah Fest health screening, said the initiative is providing participants with free health checks.

He said the screening includes eye examinations, including vision and eye-pressure checks, blood sugar and blood pressure checks, as well as other basic health assessments.

Dr. Opoku Gyamfi said reading glasses are provided to participants who require them, while medication is also offered in cases that can be managed at the screening.

He noted that the exercise has identified some participants who were previously unaware that they had conditions including high blood sugar or possible diabetes.

According to him, participants who require further assessment are referred to appropriate health facilities, while cases that can be managed at the screening are attended to by the medical team.

Dr. Opoku Gyamfi also emphasized the importance of glaucoma screening, saying Savannah Opticals has recently launched a glaucoma awareness campaign.

He said the MTN health initiative provides an opportunity for more people to check their glaucoma status and become more aware of their eye health.

He advised the public to make regular health checks part of their routine, recommending that blood pressure be checked approximately once a month, eye pressure at least once every three months, and comprehensive eye examinations generally once a year, unless a doctor recommends more frequent checks.

Dr. Opoku Gyamfi urged the public to follow the recommendations of their healthcare providers and prioritize regular health checks as part of efforts to maintain good health.

Source:Fiilafmonline/Walkiyatu Issahaku