Sports
Crunch Berekum Chelsea test for Kotoko
Asante Kotoko will be eager to clinch a second straight victory at the Berekum Golden City Park this afternoon when they face Berekum Chelsea after sinking AshantiGold at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in four-goal thriller on match day 12.
Berekum Chelsea have gone two games without a win, playing goalless against Great Olympics and a 1-1 deadlock with Medeama.
Having tasted sweet victory over Aduana Stars at Dormaa for the first time and crashing poor performing Ashgold, the Porcupine Warriors will bring a lot of attention to themselves as they dash for a possible third consecutive win on match day 13.
The Blues of Berekum will have to prove to their fierce critics beyond every reasonable doubt that the departure of their former captain, Stephen Amankona to the Kotoko camp, would have no effect on them – by securing a famous massive victory today.
With 26 points from 11 games, Asante Kotoko and their gaffer, Dr Prosper Narteh Ogum, will look further to stretch the lead – even with a game at hand against their sworn rivals, Hearts.
At the Tarkwa Akoon Park on Sunday, Medeama will welcome Olympics to a fierce tie that would have a lot at stake because of the slender points difference between the two teams.
Hearts make a return to the Accra Sports Stadium tomorrow to wrangle it out with Eleven Wonders after their away fixture against Medeama at the Akoon Park.
The Phobians will attempt to go for the maximum points in order play catch-up with Kotoko ahead of their outstanding game on February 20.
Wounded Ashgold will face bottom-placed Elmina Sharks, who are yet to win a game after a seven-straight losing streak.
At Sogakope on Sunday, West African Football Academy (WAFA) will lock horns with eighth-placed Dreams FC. Dreams went away to pick a point at Tamale, which makes them the favourites going into this game.
Second-placed Aduana Stars will host Accra Lions at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park in Dormaa. Technically, Aduana will start the game as favourites though Accra Lions can cause a surprise, looking at their previous two matches; drawing away with WAFA and winning on the road against Legon Cities.
The Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale will host newbies Real Tamale United (RTU) and Bibiani Gold Stars in top cracker. With RTU losing marksman, David Abagna to assignment with the Black Stars in Cameroon, the Tamale lads will have to prove their doubters that their team play is not built on one man.
Gold Stars are coming into this game hungrier after losing to Hearts at Bibiani in their previous fixture.
Action continues on Monday when Legon Cities host Bechem United at the Accra Sports Stadium.
As of press time yesterday at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Karela United were battling it out with King Faisal.
By Emmanuel Asante
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has introduced minimum monthly salaries for players in the Ghana Premier League (GPL), Division One League (DOL), and the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
According to the Association, the move is part of efforts to improve the welfare of footballers and make Ghana’s domestic leagues more professional and competitive.
The decision follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the GFA and the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG) ahead of the Association’s last Congress.
One key outcome of that partnership was the introduction of a standard contract for professional players, which has already been implemented by Premier League clubs.
After further discussions with the clubs, the GFA and its partners agreed that players in the Ghana Premier League will now earn a minimum net monthly salary of GHS 1,500.
Players in the Division One League and the Women’s Premier League will each receive a minimum of GHS 700.
The new salary structure will apply to all contracts signed during the next registration window. However, for players already under contract, the new rates will take effect at the start of the 2026/2027 league season.
The GFA explained that the introduction of minimum salaries is a major step toward protecting the welfare of players and ensuring fair compensation for their talent and hard work.
It added that the decision is aimed at raising standards in local leagues, strengthening the value of Ghanaian football, and creating a more professional and sustainable future for players and clubs.
Attention will be at the Golden City Park in Berekum tomorrow as Hearts of Oak lock horns with Berekum Chelsea FC in a Ghana Premier League Matchday 6 game that promises an electrifying atmosphere.
Lying sixth on the league table with two wins and three draws, the Phobians visit a ground that has been favourable to them in recent times. In their last three visits to the Golden City Park, Hearts have amassed seven out of nine points, putting them in strong contention to win.
Head Coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani says, “The team is making progress in its tactical identity despite the lack of goals, and this is something we are working on ahead of this game.”
Hearts will come face-to-face with former coach Samuel Boadu, whose side lies a distant 13th on the league table with a win and a draw from four games. Coach Boadu is yet to celebrate a victory over the Phobians since joining the Berekum lads and would hope this fixture marks a turnaround.
Ninth-placed Vision FC would trek to the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem to play Bechem United, while new boys Hohoe United host Aduana FC at the Hohoe Sports Stadium.
Returnees Swedru All Blacks will welcome Basake Holy Stars to the Swedru Sports Stadium, with defending league champions Bibiani Gold Stars staying put at their backyard, the Dun’s Park, to welcome second-placed Heart of Lions FC on Monday.
Today at the TnA Stadium in Tarkwa, Medeama SC will clash with Samartex FC in a Western derby. Other games scheduled for today would see Eleven Wonders FC host Karela United at the Swedru Sports Stadium, while Dreams FC face Nations FC at the Tuba Astro Turf.
By Raymond Ackumey
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
