Sports
Gt. Oly to cut Kotoko’s lead further
Second-placed Accra Great Olympics will be eager to rev up their title ambitions slicing league leaders, Asante Kotoko’s lead to six points by securing a win against Accra Lions at the Accra Sports Stadium in their Ghana Premier league (GPL) Week 19 fixture tomorrow.
With Kotoko and Hearts absent from league duties this weekend after the two traditional giants battled it out yesterday in the Presidents’ Cup, Olympics can momentarily seize the occasion to cut Kotoko’s 40 points haul by increasing their tally to 34 points.
This also puts a distance between Olympics and third and fourth-placed sides, Bechem United and Aduana Stars respectively, both on 30 points and desperate to displace Olympics.
The ‘Wonder Club’ showed a lot of character and fighting spirit to hustle a late 2-1 winner against visiting Real Tamale United (RTU), signifying their status as an eminent contender for the title race.
But playing as the visitors on this occasion against Lions who sit on the edge of the relegation drop zone, Coach Annor Walker and his boys must expect a spirited fight from the young team, who have shown not to lack in talent but in finishing and experience and bear a strong resolve to avenge their 3-1 defeat suffered at the hands of Olympics in the first round.
In a game that will significantly impact the chase for top-four places, fourth-placed Aduana Stars will be seeking a revenge mission against fifth-placed King Faisal as the two sides clash at the Baba Yara Stadium.
King Faisal knocked Aduana Stars 3-1 at Dormaa, shattering their long-held record as an invincible ground for visiting teams and with Aduana’s 30 points just a point better than Faisal’s 29 points, they will be motivated to exact their revenge to put a significant distance between them and the Kumasi-based club.
Given the onerous nature of Aduana’s task as Faisal have lost just once at the Baba Yara, much will be expected of ‘Ogya boys’ marksman, Bright Adjei, who has hit fine fettle – bagging 11 goals – just two goals shy of Kotoko’s Cameroonian marksman, Franck Etouga, to provide the clinical moments Aduana needs to emerge victorious.
In other Sunday fixtures, 14th-placed Bibiani Gold Stars will welcome sixth-placed Medeama to the Dun’s Park; eight-placed Karela United host tottering Ashantigold at the CAM Park, whilst Eleven Wonders will draw inspiration from their 4-1 walloping of Ashgold at Obuasi as they confront Berekum Chelsea in a derby clash at the Ohene Ameyaw Park.
High-scoring Dreams will account for bottom-side Elmina Sharks at the Dawu Theatre of Dreams, while the early fixture today will witness RTU’s attempt to quickly shrug off their last-gasp loss to Olympics when they lock horns with Legon Cities at the Tamale Sports Stadium.
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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