Sports
Can Academy boys surprise Kotoko?
Porcupine Warriors Kumasi Asante Kotoko are desperate to pounce on top position at the slightest opportunity.
And, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday, the Reds hope to do justice to that mission as they engage a struggling WAFA side that is currently uncharacteristically rooted at the 15th spot.
The Academy boys have been experiencing a rather bad-patch of form, especially since the departure of their trusted gaffer – Dr Prosper Narteh Ogum, ahead of the season.
On Sunday, WAFA would have to prove to their former trainer that they do not really miss him by putting up a credible performance – good enough to secure them at least, a point. It looks a tough order, though.
With 17 points from eight games, second-placed Kotoko (who have a game in hand against rivals Hearts of Oak), would not want to drop their guard any further as they plot to reclaim the championship title.
After securing an impressive away point against AshantiGold in Obuasi, ‘Wonder Club’ Great Olympics appeared fired up enough to beat Eleven Wonders in a game many have dubbed ‘Clash of the Wonders’ at the Accra Sports Stadium.
RTU’s top goal-poacher David Abagna will be a real thorn in the flesh of Accra Lions in a cagey, nervy-racking encounter in Accra on Saturday.
After winning two games on the bounce, Hearts of Oak look invigorated to take on Dreams FC at the Theatre of Dreams in Dawu tomorrow.
In other fixtures of Week 10, Bechem United welcome imposing King Faisal to Bechem; struggling Elmina Sharks slot it out with Legon Cities in Elmina, whilst Berekum Chelsea host wounded AshantiGold at the Golden City Park.
Yet another cracker takes place in Bibiani where Gold Stars entertain Karela United with Medeama obliging league leaders Aduana Stars at the T&A Park in Tarkwa.
Full fixtures
Bechem United v King Faisal
Berekum Chelsea v AshantiGold
Great Olympics v Eleven Wonders
Elmina Sharks v Legon Cities
Bibiani Goldstars v Karela United
Accra Lions v RTU
Dreams FC v Hearts
Kotoko v WAFA
Medeama v Aduana
By Spectator Sports Reporter
The unbeaten away run of Accra Hearts of Oak will be put to the test tomorrow when they visit the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale to play as guests of Karela United. Described as one of the top-liners of the weekend games, the match will pitch one of the best home teams against the best away team, with their records on the line.
After playing a pulsating 2-2 draw with Kumasi Asante Kotoko last week, league leaders Medeama SC return to their fortress, the TnA Stadium, to welcome Berekum Chelsea FC in a clash of former league winners. Medeama have struggled in recent times to hold their own against the ‘Bibires’, losing their last four games both home and away.
However, according to Head Coach of Medeama, Tanko Ibrahim, that sequence of results will come to an end tomorrow as they look to crawl out of the claws of their opponents with victory. Eleven points separate the sides, with Berekum Chelsea lying a distant 14th position on the log. They have been a pale shadow of themselves this season, and it remains to be seen if Coach Samuel Boadu’s side can keep the bragging rights over the Yellow and Mauves in what has been described as one of their worse starts to a league season.
Today, second-placed Kpando Heart of Lions will trek to the Kwame Kyei Sports Complex in Abrankese to play as guests of struggling Nations FC. Having suffered a 1-0 away loss to Basake Holy Stars in their last game, Nations FC would look to pick all three points to better their current 12th position.
In other games, the Hohoe Sports Stadium will come alive as new boys Hohoe United FC welcome Kumasi Asante Kotoko. The Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex in Tema will host the Vision FC versus Young Apostles FC game, the Tuba Astro Turf will host the Dreams FC versus Bechem United FC clash, while the Nsenkyire Sports Arena will host the Samartex FC versus Bibiani Gold Stars game. High-riding Aduana FC will sort things out with Basake Holy Stars at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park in Dormaa.
By Raymond Ackumey
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When the international friendly match between Ghana’s Black Queens and the Lionesses of England was announced, it was received with mixed feelings. For the faint-hearted, lining up such a high-profile friendly against the European champions was an audacious move. Fans who aligned with this school of thought were guided by what has earned a place in Ghana’s football history as the ‘Bochum Disaster,’ recorded on April 14, 1993.
It was a disaster, although there was no loss of life. On that cold evening in Bochum, the Black Stars suffered a 6-1 humiliation from the German national team in an international friendly. It came as a shock to soccer fans across the globe, coming just a year after Abedi Ayew Pele skippered the Black Stars to dominate the continent, culminating in an AFCON final in the 1992 edition held in Senegal. In a final against the Elephants of La Cote d’Ivoire, the game went to extra time, with the eventual winner decided after a marathon penalty shoot-out. Ghana’s strength on the continent at the time was considered second best.
Fast forward to April, Ghana faced Germany again, needing a high-profile friendly to commence USA ‘94 World Cup qualifying. What followed was a battering that no follower of the team would want to remember—a 6-1 defeat for the team that had previously brought honour to the nation. Guided by this history, nervous fans had reason to doubt the Black Queens’ ability to share the field with the European champions, currently the top-ranked female team in the world, and come out unscathed.
However, there were fans who remained optimistic that the Black Queens would perform well. Despite losing the game 2-0, fans expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall performance, as many had anticipated a worse outcome than the Bochum disaster. The English coach had changed the team that had thrashed China 8-0 just four days earlier, which gave some hope to Ghana supporters.
The Black Queens defended well for 90 minutes, aided by some profligacy from the English in front of goal and an excellent performance from Ghana’s goalkeeper, Cynthia Konlan Findib. England captain Alessia Russo praised Ghana’s performance, stating, “Ghana provided the type of test we wanted… We want to test ourselves against different playing styles, and we definitely got that tonight.”
Despite the defeat, the match proved to be a valuable exercise for the team as they prepare for the next AFCON. It highlighted improvements in both the playing staff and the technical direction of the team. Coach Kim Lars scored full marks for knowing the strengths of his team and adopting strategies they were comfortable with. While some fans disapproved of the defensive approach, as long as it proves effective, it must be encouraged to achieve results rather than merely entertain the crowd.
By Andrew Nortey
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