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Soccer News of Monday, 1 April 2002

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Hearts Players Moving to Canada

Current league champions, Accra Hearts of Oak are likely to lose most of their players by June this year. Former captain Jacob Nettey, defender Amankwah Mireku, and Emmanuel Adjogu are all planning to leave to join clubs in the Canadian league.

Emmanual Kuffour may also join them, if plans to play in USA does not materialize. The former Black Stars captain hinted he will end up playing in Canada or the United States of America after several unsuccessful attempts to land a deal in Europe and Asia.

Some Facts About the canadian league
(From Coach in Canada) -- From a Canadian perspective, this is how one can rate Professional Soccer in North America

1) The Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States is the major Professional Soccer League

2) The A-League which has some teams in Canada and the US is a step down from the MLS (Division 1)

Here is a list of A- League teams.
ROCHESTER RAGING RHINOS
PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS
RICHMOND KICKERS
HAMPTON ROADS MARINERS
ATLANTA SILVERBACKS
CHARLOTTE EAGLES
PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS
CHARLESTON BATTERY
ROCHESTER RAGING RHINOS
CALGARY STORM
SEATTLE SOUNDERS
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (Canada)
MONTREAL IMPACT (Canada)
TORONTO LYNX (Canada)

3) The Canadian Professional Soccer League (CPSL) is a step down from the A-League (Division 11) - equivalent to the Pacific Coast League in the US. All CPSL teams are based in Canada .

I am not sure any of the A- League or CPSL teams can part with a transfer fee of more than $20,000 as they do not generate that much income. You are talking about attendance of 1,500 to 5,000 per game and most of the players are sem-pro. [These players] will surely require a second income to survive on any allowances he may receive to play in those Leagues. They are better off going to an English 3rd Division Club for example !!