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
A step closer to glory awaits six Ghana Premier League (GPL) club sides and two Division One clubs as they battle for spots at the semi-finals stage of the 2025-26 MTN FA Cup this weekend at the Cape Coast Stadium and the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem.
Dreams FC, the 2022-2023 champions, will clash with Heart of Lions in the quarter-finals at the Cape Coast Stadium tomorrow at pm.
Heart of Lions are going through a difficult spell in the league, having lost ground on their title aspirations that started brightly.
Dreams FC thrashed Lions 3-0 in the reverse fixture of the GPL game in January after losing 1-0 in the first round tie, and tomorrow’s game comes in to settle the scores between the two sides this season.
Although struggling, Lions lie two places above Dreams’ 12th position on the league log and will look to take that inspiration into the game.
The day’s other game will see two-time champions Medeama SC battle Access Bank Division One League (DOL) Zone Three side Attram De Visser at the same venue at 7pm.
The GPL leaders Medeama SC are in the chase for a double this season and will chase a win to appease their fans.
After defeating Asante Kotoko 4-2 on penalties in the Round of 16, Aduana FC will seek to account for Access Bank DOL Zone One B campaigners, Techiman Liberty Youth, today.
Aduana FC are in the hunt for a double this season as they are currently third on the GPL table, trailing leaders Medeama SC with five points.
Having been decisive in matches against Nsuatre FC, Victory Club Warriors and Real Tamale United to get this far, the best in the annals of the club’s history, coach Ezekiel Nii Yeboah of Liberty Youth would be out to cause an upset.
At the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem tomorrow, another interesting pairing is set to play out as the all-Premier League affair between Nations FC and Berekum Chelsea takes centre stage.
By Raymond Ackumey
The Black Starlets will intensify preparations for the upcoming 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations with a double-header of friendly matches against FC Samartex 1996 at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, Samraboi.
The national U-17 side will first take on the youth team of Samartex on Saturday at4pm, as the technical team continues to assess player combinations and sharpen match readiness ahead of the continental tournament.
The following day, Sunday, March 15, the Starlets will return to the same venue to face the senior side of Samartex in another crucial preparatory fixture, also scheduled for 4pm.
These matches form part of a series of build-up games designed to test the squad’s depth, tactical discipline and competitive edge as they prepare for the AFCON challenge.
The Starlets have already played several friendly matches during their training programme, including encounters against True Democracy FC, Port City FC, Attram De Visser Academy, Semper Fi FC and Golden Kick FC.
The upcoming double-header is expected to provide another valuable opportunity for the technical team to fine-tune strategies and evaluate players as Ghana’s young talents continue their preparations for the 2026 U-17 AFCON.
