Sports
Hearts seek Olympics revenge in fierce ‘Ga Mashie’ derby
League title holders, Hearts of Oak will be in search for revenge when they play as guests of Great Olympics in a ferocious ‘Ga Mashie’ derby on matchday 16 tomorrow at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Tasting a sweet victory against King Faisal with Kwadwo Obeng Jnr scoring a lone goal, the Phobians will look forward to continue their winning streak to be able to hang on to their title.
Hearts are currently in fifth position with 23 points and a match in hand with Asante Kotoko – and cannot afford to drop points against Olympics who are seventh on the log. Oly failed to impress away against Kotoko in their previous fixture, making them come into this game hungrier for all the maximum points.
Last season, Olympics had the better of Hearts, beating the Phobians at home and sharing the spoils in the reverse fixture. The Dade boys will have to prove to the critics that the departure of Gladson Awako – their play-maker last season, to the Hearts camp, will have no effect on them; not even the introduction of former Black Stars stalwart Sulley Muntari, into the Hearts fold, would.
At the Cosby Awuah Memorial (CAM) Park at Aiyinase, Karela United will welcome Legon Cities to a tight contest. The Cities thrashed Eleven Wonders 3-0 in their previous fixture and would like to keep up the same spirit away in the Western Region.
Dreams FC will lock horns with Berekum Chelsea at the Dawu Park on Sunday in a compelling fixture.
After suffering a painful defeat in their previous game in Obuasi against AshantiGold, Dreams will be eager to clinch all the maximum points to sink fast-improving Berekum Chelsea.
Sogakope lads, West African Football Academy (WAFA), will make a long journey to Techiman to face Eleven Wonders at the Ohene Ameyaw Park tomorrow. The under-performing Wonders would have to fight for the maximum points to escape the relegation zone; similar situation confronts WAFA if they fail to win – which makes this tie a cagey one.
After crashing to WAFA in Sogakope, Biabiani Goldstars will welcome the Ogya boys – Aduana Stars, to a fierce battle at the Duns Park. Losing at home against Bechem United in their previous clash, Aduana Stars would want to return to winning ways to compete for the league title.
Straight from a 2-0 victory over Olympics, leaders Asante Kotoko will journey to Elmina to face bottom-placed Elmina Sharks on Monday.
With the Cameroonian duo of Mbella Etouga and Mefegue Georges cutting off their opponents, Kotoko appear favourites for this fixture.
Sixth-placed King Faisal will be looking for victory as they slot it out with Real Tamale United at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium today, while Accra Lions will welcome Medeama to the Accra Sports Stadium today. Accra Lions need all three points to stay out of the relegation zone.
As of press time yesterday, Bechem United were battling it out with AshantiGold at the Nana Gyeabour Park.
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
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