Sports
Medeama to give Kotoko hard time
League leaders Asante Kotoko’s clash against fourth-placed Medeama at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium tomorrow, will headline a weekend of mouth-watering fixtures as the Ghana Premier League (GPL) enters its 14th week.
The ‘Porcupine Warriors’ will be seeking to entrench their grip at the league’s summit and a swift return to their four-game winning run that was halted by their 0-0 stalemate against Berekum Chelsea at Berekum in their last outing.
Leading the charge on 27 points and a fragile three points separating them from second-placed Aduana Stars, the homeside need a win to maintain a significance distance away from the chasing pack with only a two-point gap between Aduana and fifth-placed Bechem United.
Revenge would be firmly planted on the minds of the Porcupine Warriors after they imploded against the ‘Mauve and Yellows’ to suffer a 2-1 loss in their home encounter at the Len Clay Stadium against the visitors last season.
Despite losing influential midfielder Justice Blay to Kotoko this month after his contract ended with Medeama, they will rely on their impressive results on the road – winning two, drawing two and losing two out of six – to stun the homeside for the second time at their backyard in two seasons.
At Aiyinase today, league champions Hearts of Oak will continue their resurgence against Karela United at the CAM Park.
The Phobians have steadily improved and currently lie sixth after a rocky start and would be gunning for their first win at the CAM Park after drawing two and losing two in four meetings at the venue.
However, the ‘Passion and Pride’ boys wont be easy push-overs as they are yet to lose at their fortress, winning three and drawing three in six encounters.
In other games on Sunday, eight-placed Great Olympics face suprise package King Faisal, who lie third at the Accra Sports Stadium, high-flying Bechem United welcome wobbling WAFA to the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park whilst Legon Cities play as guests of Gold Stars at the Dun’s Park.
Other games would witness bottom-placed Elmina Sharks attempt to bite 14th-placed Berekum Chelsea at the Nduom Stadium; Eleven Wonders confront Real Tamale United (RTU) at the Techiman Nana Ameyaw Park whilst in today’s other game, Accra Lions will collide with tottering Ashantigold.
On Monday, Dreams will play a crunch game against second-placed Aduana Stars.
BY NANA BENTSI ODURO
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
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