Warri Wolves have been charged for breaching the Framework and Rules of the NPFL during the course of their match against Rangers on Sunday.

Wolves failed to provide prompt, adequate and effective security for their home match leading to the delay of the 4pm kickoff.

The Warri club have been fined N1 million for failing to provide prompt, adequate and effective security for the Matchday 2 fixture.

The club have been directed to put in place an effective matchday security arrangement & also submit its details to the NPFL26 board within 7 working days from the date of notice.

Warri Wolves have 48 hours from the date of notice to appeal this sanction.

NPFL media

Reigning Nigerian champions, Rivers United FC are shaping up for what should be another brilliant year in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

The 'Pride of Rivers', Nigeria's sole surviving club in Inter CAF club competition are also primed for a solid campaign in the 2022-23 CAF Confederation Cup.

After winning last season's NPFL campaign in swashbuckling fashion, smashing every available record on the way, Rivers United FC are now set for yet another barnstorming campaign domestically and on the continent.

United will prosecute her home games in the domestic and continental competitions at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium which is wearing a spanking new look.

A recent visit shows that facilities at the ultra modern edifice are in tip top condition as the standard torch bearers of Nigerian football prepare for exertions on all fronts.

General Manager of the club, Chief Okey Kpalukwu explained that as always, Rivers United will be striving for excellence in every competition entered for.

"We are set for the new season and our standards remain the same going for glory in every competition we are participating in," Chief Kpalukwu told the club's official media channels.

"We are also delighted to announce that our Stadium, the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium is in excellent condition to welcome clubs from within and outside Nigeria.

"We pride ourselves in delivering quality on the pitch and also in terms of our facilities.

"This will be another excellent season for Rivers United FC." he concluded.

Rivers United are in group B of the abridged NPFL season alongside Niger Tornadoes, Doma United, Wikki Tourists, Lobi Stars, Abia Warriors, Dakkada FC, Rangers International, Sunshine Stars and Bayelsa United.

In the CAF Confederation Cup, Rivers United will slug it out with Diable Noirs (Congo), DC Motema Pemba (Congo DR) and Club, ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast) in group B of the competition.

Press Release

Coach of Remo Stars of Ikenne, Daniel Ogunmodede has recorded his unhappiness over the shift in the date of the commencement of the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL.

On Wednesday, the NFF Interim Management Committee, IMC, the body temporally in charge of charting a new course for the league, announced after six months of ending the 2021/2022 league that new date for the start of the league will be in January.

This is news has been greeted with sadness as many had anticipated that the league will start before the year ends with clubs already preparing themselves for the new season.

One of the club's coach, Daniel Ogunmodede of Remo is one person that the news of the postponement of the start of the league doesn't go down well with.

" We have been preparing for the league and it has been one date or the other.

For me not until the league start, then I can say we start but on my part I have been getting the boys ready.

Professionally and ethically is not good for me and the boys because you can't keep professional players for long with competitions there won't be behavioural patterns, and this is not done.

I'm not comfortable with it but what I don't have control over, I just have to keep the players fit and ready", he said.

Following a meeting on Wednesday with Club Owners, the IMC has said the draw for the new season will hold on the 28th of December while the league will kick off on the 8th of January, 2023.

By Uche Dozie

Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is set to kick off before the end of this calendar year, nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Anticipations have been high on the resumption of the league after many months of the 2021/2022 season was concluded, now there are indications the league will finally start.

There have been back and forth as regards the commencement after the internal reshuffling and reorganisation which birthed the IMC in place of the LMC.

The IMC on their part have revealed several programmes and policies it intend to put in place and promised the league will start this year.

Well fillers from some Nigeria journalists and media outlets have suggested an in house source disclosed the date of the league commencement will be on the 28th of December, 2022.

It was further reported that the fixtures for the season will be made known in Abuja on Monday and it is expected that all the representatives of the NPFL clubs will be in attendance at the event.

A couple of days ago, the IMC through its chairman made known cash prizes for winners, second place and third place teams of the league hence insinuating the imminent start of the league.

Uche Dozie

Defending Champions, Bayelsa Queens started their title defense of the Nigeria Women's Football League on a winning note on Wednesday.

The Prosperity defeated 2021 champions, Rivers United two goals to nil in one of the group A fixture at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenegoa, Bayelsa.

Goals in each half of the encounter by  Juliet Sunday and Mary Aderemi gave the newly crowned Golden Bronze winners of the CAF Women's Champions the win.

A keenly contested match got it needed spark in the second phase as Sunday opened score for the home team with a 78th minute header assisted by Flourish Sabastine.

Aderemi doubled the lead just at the verge of the referee blowing the final whistle to end the contest 2-0.

[caption id="attachment_729783" align="aligncenter" width="240"] Flourish Sabastian[/caption]

Flourish Sabastian went home with the woman of the match award after the match.

The reigning champions play Heartland Queens in their next match at home.

NWFL Full Time Results :

Bayelsa Queens 2- 0 Rivers Angels

Osun Babes 2- 0 Royal Queens

Abia Angels Fc 1- 0 Robo Queens

Naija Ratels 3 -1 Heartland Queens

Nasarawa Amazon 1- 0 Edo Queens

Adamawa Queens 2-0 Ibom Angels

By Uche Dozie 

Plateau United have arrived Benghazi Libya for their CAF Confederation Cup second leg playoff match against Al Alkhdar late Monday, Nigeriasoccernet.com can report.

https://twitter.com/plateau_united/status/1589879409976438784?t=WUeB-FROLDS7Mwiw8V48vQ&s=19

This was made known by the media of the club after arrival at the Benghazi airport, Libya.

The team has since had their first training session ahead of their crutch tie on Wednesday.

https://twitter.com/plateau_united/status/1590045386059567105?t=xuiNEiUl_F0vJz_xzIjI6Q&s=19

Host, Akhdar play Plateau United to see if they can overturn a first leg 1-4 loss in Libya this Wednesday by 4pm Nigeria time.

By Uche Dozie

Atune Jolomi has been unveiled as Warri Wolves FC’s new head coach, Nigeria soccernet.com has gathered.

The former assistant Coach at Akwa United in the 2021/2022 NPFL season was part of the Technical crew that master minded the Promise Keepers 2020/2021 NPFL title winning campaign.

[caption id="attachment_728033" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Jolomi unveiled[/caption]

Coach Jolomi makes a return to the club after previously working as Assistant Coach at the seasiders under the Late Solomon Ogbeide.

He was unveiled in Warri today, October 15, 2022 and task ahead is to make sure the Wolves from Delta return topflight football narrowly missing out on promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League last term.

Warri Wolves finished second behind Bayelsa United FC who will play in the NPFL this season.

Newly appointed chairman of the club, Neville Ambekederemo, Delta State football Association Chairman, Ken Nwamucha, and the special adviser on sports to the Delta state governor, former international Sam Sodje were all present at the unveiling ceremony.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare has reassured that professionalism in Nigerian football development being promoted by the ongoing reforms of the nation’s football will make Nigerian Leagues better and put it at par with others around the world.

The Minister says his desire to see the Nigerian Leagues grow beyond the current state with rapid transformation through proper licensing, and financial control is unwavering.

Mr. Sunday Dare expalins that the step is critical for building stakeholder confidence following the reclassification of sports from  recreation to business as part of President Buhari’s commitment to make sports business.

He adds that other necessary steps involve running the leagues as businesses and not as recreation . According to Dare “we have a clear plan and vision. We are dogged in working to fulfil them leveraging on public and private financing to achieve our goal. We are committed to make changes that would position our league for the best.”

The Minister had said that the league would not resume until basic conditions on club licensing control are enforced.

“As a Ministry, infrastructure renewal is our ultimate goal to ensure television friendly output that will encourage investors to put their money in a product that is quite attractive, this boils down to professionalism of all stakeholders, administrators, coaches, players, and fans of round leather game,” the Sports Minister remarked.

“This is the only way we can attract sponsors and fans returning in large crowds to the stadium. when all facilities are put in better shape ahead of the new season. We are looking licensing, players salaries and medical insurance, incentives, among others when the season commences.”

The Minister expresses confidence that Nigeria will get it right and return to apex position in African football.

Warri Wolves have put an end to Abia Warriors’ unbeaten streak by handing out a 1-0 defeat to the Umuahia-based outfit in a match day three rescheduled fixture at the Warri City Stadium on Thursday, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

Abia Warriors who have won five and drawn five in their last ten games in the Nigeria Professional Football League this season came all out to protect their record.

They were unable to do that as they tasted defeat for the first time this season with former junior international, King Osanga, grabbing the winner for his side in the 53rd minute.

The visitors remain second in the table despite the defeat.

Warri Wolves who occupied the 14th position prior to the game have now moved to ninth position in the table.

Nigeria’s first ever goal scorer at the Africa Cup of Nations Asuqou Ekpe is dead.

Ekpe made history as the first Nigerian to score a goal at the African Cup of Nations when he scored in

Nigeria’s 6-3 loss to Egypt in Kumasi, Ghana in 1963.

Respected sports journalist Kunle Solaja who broke the news revealed that Asuqou died on January 30, 2016, in Calabar.

Ekpe was one of Nigeria’s finest in the 50’s and 60’s and played for various clubs which include Lagos Railways II, Welch XI, Secretariat FC and Western Rovers.

He debuted for Nigeria in an international friendly with Togo in 1956 and played his last game for Nigeria in a 1-1 draw with Dahomey (now Benin) in an All Africa Games qualifier.

Ekpe played 28 matches for the national team.

The former international will be buried at Henshaw Town in Calabar.

Home-based Super Eagles assistant Coach Salisu Yusuf believes the team will not miss the services of Warri Wolves striker Gbolahan Salami who opted out of the 2016 Championship For African Nations (CHAN) in Rwanda.

Salami opted out of the tournament because of his plans to travel to Norway where he is expected to sign a new deal with a club.

Speaking before the team departed to South Africa on Saturday morning, Yusuf told Completesportsnigeria.com that despite Salami’s withdrawal, the technical crew led by Coach Sunday Oliseh has done enough work to put the team in perfect shape and will not in any way miss the services of the former Shooting Stars striker.

“There is no doubt about it that Salami is a quality player and experienced one but since we knew he was not going to be part of the team to Rwanda, we went into action by working on the players we have to make sure that the team is in perfect shape and from what we have done so far, I can tell you that we are not going to miss Salami in Rwanda,” Salisu stated.

“Salami says he is pursuing a career abroad and we are not going to stop him from achieving that. We have confidence in the players we have and I am sure that they are not going to disappoint."

The former Enyimba coach who is confident of achieving positive result in Rwanda, says the Home Eagles are ready to return with the trophy.

Salish added, “We have a mission going to Rwanda and that is to win the trophy. The players have shown enough readiness while we are in Abuja and I am sure that going to South Africa for camping will help the team more."

The Home Eagles will play Niger, Angola and Guinea in the first round of the tournament in Rwanda.

Nigeria’s biggest attacking threat at the U23 AFCON Stanley Dimgba has been ruled out of the competition in Senegal by a long-term ankle injury it has been scooped.

The flying Warri Wolves winger has provided three assists in Nigeria’s group games against Mali and Egypt, before he suffered the injury which team officials now say will sideline him for some weeks.

“He is out of the AFCON. It’s a big loss to the team especially after what he showed in the first two matches against Mali and Egypt,” a source close to the team disclosed.

Dimgba missed Saturday’s group game against Algeria and he will also not be available for selection for Wednesday’s semi-final against hosts Senegal.

Bayelsa United winger Tiongoli Tonbara, who was a second half substitute against Algeria at the weekend, is most likely be a replacement for Dimgba, but he will be operating from the right after the Wolves star played on the left.

Coach Samson Siasia’s team will already be without skipper Azubuike Okechukwu for Wednesday’s clash with Senegal because he is suspended after he bagged a second booking against Algeria.

Thursday, December 3, 2015 was Gbolahan Salami’s day of honour as the Rashidi Yekini Foundation honoured him for his 17-goal feat which saw him emerging as the highest goal scorer in the Nigerian Professional Football League in the 2015 season.

For Salami, an ex-Shooting Stars’ player, it was a sweet homecoming as football administrators and the likes of Elder Bode Oyewole, Felix Owolabi, Coach Niyi Akande and Dimeji Lawal among others graced the event at the Media Centre of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan.

He was also accompanied by the Team Manager of Warri Wolves, his present club.

While speaking at the programme, former Shooting Stars Chairman, Elder Bode Oyewole commended Barrister Jubril Mohammed, Yekini’s lawyer and members of the foundation for their efforts to immortalize the late footballer.

“I commend you, you have done excellently well. What Barrister Jubril is doing is what the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria should do. It is legendary. All of us who associate with football should be part of it,” he said.

He went further to admonish people on how to live well. He said “we must work our life out by what we do. It is not just to live up to 70 years or 80. What have you done with those years? Make impact on people’s lives”.

He also spoke about the awardee, disclosing that he is a big fan of Gbolahan Salami and that he didn’t want him to leave Shooting Stars when he did.

“I went to the coach and told him, don’t let this boy go. But I eventually saw that his mind was made up. He may have issues with his character but a good coach will be able to manage him”.

Former Super Eagle and Yekini’s teammate at Shooting Stars, Felix Owolabi appreciated Barrister Jubril Mohammed’s efforts.

He however opined that it is not good enough to immortalize the dead because the dead cannot see whatever is being done after they might have passed on. Rather, “honour should be bestowed on people while they are alive”.

Owolabi also tasked the recipient of the award on improving his performance.

He urged him to strive and improve with every match. Success is a calculated miracle and a principle that should be worked out.

“It is also a matter of choice. Success is for those who are willing to sacrifice their sleep, energy and time to make all rough roads clean and smooth”, he said.

Niyi Akande, the coach who recruited Yekini to Shooting Stars in 1983 disclosed that “he never disappointed me”.

He therefore advised coaches to always go for the best players and be transparent in their team selection, so they would be able to hold their heads high in the future.

In her goodwill message, Yekini’s daughter, Yemi, thanked Barrister Mohammed for upholding the late footballer’s honour despite the fact that Nigerians do not identify with him.

Her sister, Yemisi, who could not attend the programme, disclosed in her video message that she and her sister are delighted about the prize being awarded in their dad’s honour.

Her congratulatory message to Gbolahan Salami was short and simple, “congratulations, as you step into my dad’s big shoes, I pray the Lord will make you greater, even beyond your expectations”.

Explaining the essence of the award, Barrister Jubril Mohammed described it as “the only honour I can do to a loyal person”.

Speaking further, he said “if we fail to do this, nobody will immortalize him.” He went on to describe the late Yekini as a gentleman whose personal policies many misunderstood.

The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of a cash sum of N 100,000 (one hundred thousand Naira), the last pair of football boots Yekini played with as well as a trophy to the highest goal scorer.

Salami pointed out that playing for Shooting Stars brought him fame and honour. “3SC brought me to limelight and made me shine. I thank the Rashidi Yekini Foundation, I am happy to be back in Ibadan. I thank 3SC fans, I really love the club and I might play for 3SC again. I also thank Warri Wolves, my present club. The fans there are wonderful too. I love them.”

Warri Wolves Media Officer, Mr. Moses Étu has been charged for breaching Article C1 and Clause 1 appendix E of the Code of Conduct for club officials as contained in the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and consequently fined N100, 000 and banned from all Glo Premier League games and activities for the rest of the season.

Étu was cited by the League Management Company (LMC) for for breach of Article C1 when he published several comments that were considered not to be in the interest of the league, unfair, unsporting and capable of bringing the league to disrepute.

He was also charged for breach of Article C1 clause E when Friday, October 29, he failed as a club officer to set positive example for others, especially players through his unguarded comments and frivolous allegations of manipulation of match made against the Abia Warriors versus Enyimba Match Day 36 fixture.

The LMC has therefore issued a Summary Jurisdiction notice to the Warri Wolves official ordering him to pay a fine of N100, 000 and ousted from participating in any NPFL games and activities for the rest of the season.

Étu had in the past been warned for similar public comments considered inimical to the brand health of the league as well as inciting commentaries on the public address during Warri Wolves home games at the Warri Township Stadium.

He has the option of submitting to the decisions of appeal in writing within 48 hours to appear before a panel.

Warri Wolves midfielder, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu has said his side will win at Lobi Stars for the late brother of their boss, Rufus Owumi.

The late Owumi, younger brother of Wolves' general manager, Davidson Owumi, died on Monday from gunshot wound in the hands of men of the underworld.

Ibenegbu said the deceased was a good friend of the house and the best honour for his gentle soul is a resounding victory at the Makurdi outfit.

"We have decided to play the NPFL match day 35 encounter at Lobi Stars on Wednesday in Makurdi for the departed soul of our boss brother, Rufus Owumi.

"The guy was shot close to his house on Sunday by gunmen suspected to be armed robbers.

"The gun wound damaged his intestine, he went for a corrective surgery said to be successful but he gave up on Monday.

"We were shocked to our marrows when the news of his death hit the camp on Monday while we were rounding up preparations for the clash at Lobi Stars.

"The late Owumi is close to us the players, in fact he is one of us and the best honour we can do for him is to win the game at Lobi.

"He would certainly have been with us in Makurdi for the match at Lobi if not the sad incident so we must give him the last honour with a convincing victory.

"Lobi Stars will not come cheap given their not too comfortable position on the league table but we have vowed to eke a decent result that will make the deceased happy.

"Of course, we need the whole three points, too to challenge for the summit," said the Nigerian playermaker to supersport.com.

The Seasiders are second on the 20-team Nigerian top flight on 59 points three points behind league leaders, Enyimba with four matches on the season's calendar.

The League Management Company (LMC) on Monday imposed a six points deduction on three clubs, Dolphins, Warri Wolves and FC Taraba which will automatically count if they fail to liquidate all financial indebtedness to players and Managers.

Players of Warri Wolves were also admonished to follow laid down procedures in seeking to enforce their industrial rights with a promise by the LMC Chairman, Shehu Dikko that the rights of every football player in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) will be protected at all times.

Dikko in a warning to the players said, Wolves players, let the system work or face ban. We will fight for you and every other player in the NPFL but we must also follow the rules in seeking our rights under any circumstance".

The decision to deduct six points from Warri Wolves and FC Taraba was sequel to the failure of the two clubs to pay backlog of salaries owed the players 60 days after they were served notices of Exercise of Surmary Jurisdiction by the LMC.

In separate letters to the three clubs, Salihu Abubakar, the Chief Operating Officer of LMC, wrote, "you are in breach of Article B9.45 of the Framework and Rules, that is the failure to pay financial entitlements owed to players for a period of more than 60 days".

The LMC consequently ordered a suspended six points deduction on both teams which will be activated by November 14 should they still fail to remedy the breach.

"... The six points deduction referred to is suspended for a period of 14 clear working days and the points deduction shall immediately come into effect from the date of this decision provided that if the club fails to remedy the breach within the period".

Warri Wolves was on August 25, issued the notice of summary jurisdiction to offset financial indebtedness to the players and were handed a 60 days notice to pay off the debts. FC Taraba was also on October 2 issued an ultimatum of 10 working days to commence payment of debts owed players. Three clubs now have up to November 14, 2015 to avoid points deduction.

By El Akyereko Frimpong

Follow the writer on Twitter: @AkyerekOfficial

Ghanaian giants Accra Hearts of Oak are close to securing goalkeeper Stephen Adams who was a member of Ghana's 2014 FIFA World Cup from Premier League rivals Aduana Stars, according to reports. 

The Phobians have reportedly reached a deal with the 2010 Ghana Premier League title winners over the transfer of the experienced glovesman who has spent six seasons at Dormaa Ahenkro.

Hearts have already agreed to send youngsters Kingsley Kissi and Seidu Mutawakilu on loan to make space in their goalkeeping department while Tetteh Luggard has been told to find a new club.

Adams is expected to complete his return to the Greater Accra region after leaving Tema-based Real Sportive in 2009.

He will have to compete with Burkina Faso international keeper Soulama Abdoulaye to compete for his the starting spot at Hearts should he make the move.

By: Sheikh Tophic Sienu @desheikh1 on twitter

Most coaches, players, administrators and journalists have agreed that the 2014/15 league season has been one of the most competitive in the history of Ghana football with most clubs struggling to escape relegation in the last round of matches.

Coaches as well as players exhibited great quality in the just ended league with various players catching the eye of many clubs.

The scouting eye of GHANAsoccernet.com moved around while the league was in session and the number of ‘Most Wanted’ players has increased considerably and looks very encouraging for the development of our game.

Checks have revealed that newcomers West Africa Football Academy (WAFA) will be the greatest victims of the local transfer as close to eight of their players are on the wanted list of Accra Hearts of Oak, Asante Kotoko, AshantiGold and Aduana Stars.

The Sogakope lads are however sure of compensating themselves with enough cash in return as the players move on.

Below is a list of the ‘Most Wanted’ players in the local transfer window opens:

1. Baba Mensah (Inter Allies)

The Inter Allies center back has been in the books of the two biggest clubs in the country, Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, as well as catching the attention of coach Bashiru Hayford of champions AshantiGold.

Latest information gathering from the camp of the Tema based side indicates that runners up in the just ended league Aduana Stars have also joined the fray.

Sources close to the harbour boys have told GHANAsoccernet.com that all the four teams mentioned above have officially made their intentions clear about the defender and the decision now lie in the bosom of the player to make a choice.

Baba, 22, has been the busiest center back this season after he played 25 matches for Inter Allies scoring three goals in the process. He was with the national U23 team throughout the 20165 Olympic Games qualifiers as well as the qualifiers for the All African Games and the competition itself. He is currently with the Local Black Stars in Obuasi.

The tough-tackling player who also fits very well in defensive midfield as well as adapting to the three back system as he was used to in the season with Inter Allies is sure not to continue his stay with the 2014 FA Cup finalists as he tops the list of the ‘Most Wanted’ players in the local transfer.

2. Abdul Latif Anabilah (New Edubiase)

[caption id="attachment_313890" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Anabila on the left[/caption]

The New Edubiase midfielder is one of the greatest discoveries of the season who took the league by storm. He played a very key role in guiding the Bekwai based side from escaping relegation.

Memories of the midfielder comes into mind after his awesome strike from the center won the day for the Yenko Nkoaa lads in the game against Accra Hearts of Oak at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium.

Anabilah, 20, is on the wanted list of both Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko with AshantiGold intensifying the competition for his signature by making a latest bid.

Sources closer to New Edubiase have admitted that Asante Kotoko head coach David Duncan has called the player as well as officials of the club to express his interest in securing the signature of the Ballack-like midfielder.

Anabilah caught the eye of the technical handlers of the national U23 side and was part of the team that represented Ghana at the All African Games in Congo-Brazzaville but got injured in our first game with Senegal.

3. Kwasi Donsu (Medeama SC)

Another discovery in the league pulling all the strings in the transfer market is Medeama SC midfielder Kwasi Donsu.

The 2015 FA Cup Most Valuable Player captured the headlines in the second round of the league with his magnificent moves in the midfield for the Yellow and Mauves and climaxed it with his dazzling performance in the FA Cup capping it with the top scorer award.

Even though Hearts of Oak are yet to name a substantive coach, Kwasi Donsu is top of their list but the Medeama star hopes to land a foreign deal, making the local transfer a second choice.

Medeama sources have hinted that Asante Kotoko have also made a bid for the midfielder with some management members speaking to the player who is currently with the Local Black Stars in Obuasi.

The Porcupine Warriors and the Phobians are making the transfer competition keener as both clubs have made bids for almost all the most wanted players in the league.

4. Zakaria Mumuni (WAFA)

WAFA alone have eight players in the most wanted list of players in the local league, with Gideon Waja, Majeed Ashmeru, Caleb Amankwah and a couple of others all making the list, but Zakaria Mumuni broke into the first five.

Zakaria, 20, led the ‘Kings of the AstroTurf’ to eleventh on the league table as debutants scoring eight goals in the process.

The midfielder who performs his duty just like Willian of Chelsea stormed the midfield with his able leadership and offensive moves to sweep aside most of the giants in the league.

The WAFA captain caught the attention of Asante Kotoko gaffer David Duncan and the Porcupine Warriors have officially made a bid for the youngster.

This time, Kotoko was first to make the bid before arch rivals Accra Hearts of Oak joined the race but the academy boy looks set to join the reds.

5. Kofi Owusu (Berekum Chelsea)

The spectacular finish by Kofi Owusu in the league saw Berekum Chelsea finishing 3rd on the league as he personally outdistanced himself from Nathaniel Asamoah to win the goal king with 19 goals.

Kofi Owusu is surely a target for many big clubs on the continent as well as in the local league.

The talented goal scorer is seriously being chased by both Kotoko and Hearts as they attempt to end their goal scoring challenges.

Asante Kotoko struggled through the season without a potent attacker as their two best strikers could together score only 16 goals, three less of what Kofi Owusu Alone scored.

Accra Hearts of Oak suffered a similar fate after Gilbert Fiamenyo failed to score in the second round while Togolese international Foovi Aguidi managed only five goals.

The two rivals are renewing their rivalry as both chase the signature of Kofi Owusu, the 2014/15 goal king of the FCPPL.

Hearts of Oak have initiated unofficial talks towards the appointment of Yusif Abubakar as their next coach, GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively reveal.

Representatives of the Phobians have been holding behind-the-scenes talks with Abubakar who is currently the coach of relegated Premier League club Heart of Lions.

Hearts are looking for a substantive replacement for Herbert Addo who parted ways with the club in the middle of last season over a string of poor results.

Eddie Ansah who was handed temporal reigns is also interested in landing the job on a substantive basis.

The Accra-based club are receiving applications from coaches interested in taking up the vacant post.

There is however a group conducting a covert head-hunting operation.

Yusif Abubakar has been identified by this group as competent enough to take up the job.

Yusif Abubakar once coached Hearts of Oak before he left to take up a job with Berekum Chelsea.

Kotoko are hoping to sign Hearts outcast Ollenu Ashitey as the transfer market heats up in Ghana. 

The youngster is believed to be unsettled in the capital following a difficult campaign in the recent concluded season.

The former D’international playmaker is considering opting out of his contract which expires next year in search of regular football.

Ashitey has confirmed has admitted he’s held initial talks with Kotoko but inists he will only leave with the blessing of the 2000 African champions.

“Yes it’s true Kotoko officials have spoken to me but at the moment I’m still a player of Hearts,” he told Cape Coast-based ATL FM

“I want to respect my contract and so they (Hearts) will decide my future.

“But of course football is my career and so it will be better to go to a place where you can get regular playing time. We have to wait and see how things go in the coming days.”