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Hearts, Kotoko battle for supremacy
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The Baba Yara Sports Stadium will come alive tomorrow when the two biggest clubs in Ghana, Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko clash in the second leg of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) match week 24 fixture.
For everything positive leaders Kotoko have done so far this season, they start as favourites going into the clash; but most often, games of this nature have been far from just the form of the teams.
The Phobians have managed three wins from their last five games played in the league, amassing 10 points from an available 15, with one draw and a defeat.
Kotoko, on the other hand, have nine points from their last five games (two wins and three draws) and currently 13 points superior to their sworn-rival ahead of tomorrow’s encounter.
In the last league meeting between these two in Accra, defending champions Hearts under Samuel Boadu were held to a disappointing 0-0 by Prosper Ogum’s Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium.
With 11 games to climax the 2021/2022 campaign, there is still a lot to play for and if there is a defeat in this game for either of the sides, Hearts will be the team to feel the aftermath effect as it will further complicate their chances of retaining their title.
The Phobians emerged winners of the (GPL) last season but failed to live up to the spark people were looking forward to see this campaign.
This will be the 110th league meeting between these two sides with Hearts winning (37) while Kotoko have made with 35 – 36 games also ending in a stalemate.
Also in the last five meetings at the Accra Sports Stadium in the top-flight, Kotoko have won three with two going the way of Hearts.
It will also provide another platform for the bragging rights. Prior to joining the Porcupine Warriors, Prosper Ogum Narteh faced Samuel Boadu three times as coach of WAFA, won two and conceded one defeat. Boadu suffered a 5-4 loss as head coach of Medeama to WAFA before meeting Narteh twice as gaffer of Hearts.
Today at the Accra Sports Stadium, debutants Accra Lions will welcome Karela United to the Accra Sports Stadium. Lions lost 2-0 to Karela in the first round and again were defeated by the same score last weekend.
They will hope to bounce back and stabilise a spot on the league, while Karela will also hope to deepen the woes of the home team.
Tomorrow at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium, 13th placed AshantiGold SC will host West Africa Soccer Academy (WAFA).
The Miners were 1-0 winners in their last outing with WAFA, a result they hope to replicate as WAFA will be in search of a win to move out of the relegation zone.
Second-placed Bechem United will lock horns with Gold Stars at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park tomorrow.
Battling Kotoko on a hot chase for the title, the Hunters are yet to be defeated in their last five meetings, winning three and two draws.
Gold Stars managed a narrow 1-0 win against the title contenders in December and they must improve on that if they want to outshine the home team.
Tomorrow, an improved Legon Cities will make a trip to the Golden City Park to face Berekum Chelsea.
With 30 points each between the two sides on eighth and ninth positions respectively, both will aim for a victory – having played out a goalless draw in their last meeting.
Struggling Eleven Wonders will travel on Sunday to square off with Dreams at the Dawu Theatre of Dreams Park. It ended a 1-1 draw between the two clubs when they last met in December.
Wonders won 2-0 over Accra Lions on match day 23 while Dreams will hope to bounce back after their 1-0 defeat to Gold Stars.
Bottom-placed Elmina Sharks will be at the Nduom Park tomorrow to welcome King Faisal. The Sharks are keen on deepening the woes of King Faisal who are winless in their last four games.
Former league champions, Aduana Stars will clash with Accra Great Olympics at the Accra Sports Stadium tomorrow. Aduana is yet to be defeated in their last seven games – and with four wins and three draws, their quest to hustle Kotoko for the title cannot be written off.
Olympics will also have to improve their output after going without a win in their last three games with one draw and two defeats.
Medeama SC will take on Real Tamale United (RTU) tomorrow at the Tarkwa T&N Park to climax the round of games.
Following their stunning 3-2 victory over Berekum Chelsea away, the premier league returnees will be aiming to improve on their last result, while sixth-placed Medeama will need a win to keep them in the title chase.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTE
Accra Hearts of Oak and Dreams FC will headline Matchday 5 of the Ghana Premier League when the two sides meet at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium tomorrow, with both clubs seeking a result that could shape their early season campaign.
The encounter comes at a crucial moment for the two sides with the Phobians looking to recover from their first defeat of the campaign and Dreams still searching for their first victory after four matches.
The Rainbow lads started the season strongly but were beaten 1-0 by Karela United last weekend, while Dreams suffered a slim 1-0 defeat to Bechem United.
Hearts had earlier recorded impressive victories over Berekum Chelsea and Bibiani Gold Stars before drawing goalless with Bechem United, leaving the club with seven points from their opening four matches.
Their defeat at Karela United, however, means they will be under pressure to quickly return to winning ways against a Dreams side determined to make home advantage count.
Dreams, meanwhile, have endured a difficult beginning to the campaign and will see tomorrow’s fixture as an opportunity to change their fortunes.
The ‘Still Believe’ side have collected points from only their opening draws and are yet to register a victory, making the meeting with one of the country’s traditional giants an important test of their character.
Elsewhere, Vision FC will welcome Bibiani Gold Stars to the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex today, with both teams looking to strengthen their positions.
Vision have shown encouraging form in the early stages, while Gold Stars will be seeking a response after suffering a 2-0 home defeat to newcomers Port City FC.
At the Debibi Presby Park, newly promoted Debibi United will face defending champions Medeama SC tomorrow.
Medeama finally opened their account with a convincing 4-1 victory over Basake Holy Stars and will be hoping that the result marks the beginning of a stronger title defence.
Port City FC will continue their impressive debut campaign when they host Bechem United at the Daasebere Boamah Darko II Park.
Basake Holy Stars will attempt to recover from their heavy defeat to Medeama when they host Berekum Chelsea at the Ampain AAK II Sports Arena.
Aduana FC will welcome Swedru All Blacks to the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park after producing one of the weekend’s most notable results last Sunday.
At the Kpando Stadium, Heart of Lions will host FC AshantiGold ’04 in another meeting between sides coming off victories.
FC Samartex 1996 will meanwhile welcome Young Apostles FC to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, with the home side seeking to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
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Tuesday, September 29, 2026 would go into the annals of Ghana football as one of the darkest days for the Black Stars.
In an AFCON 2027 qualifier against The Gambia, the Black Stars did not only break the hearts of the fans, but conceded a defeat that left followers with sleepless nights.
Coming from a Matchday 1 defeat to the Elephants of La Cote d’Ivoire in Bouake, the outcome of the second game against The Gambia was one that was non-negotiable.
It had the ability to spark a revival to contend for one of the slots for the next AFCON showpiece.
The Gambia is a formidable side but definitely, not one to have frustrated Ghanaians to watch in pain and awe the Black Stars lose a game from a winning position.
That is a possibility in the game of football but when the stakes are high in such cases, it becomes unacceptable to the fans.
And grievously has Carlos Queiroz answered the massive call for his resignation.
At his post-match press conference, he made it clear that bowing out was the easiest decision but insisted that would not solve the myriad problems facing the Black Stars.
For the coach to be fired two days after that declaration raises a lot of concerns as he seem to be aware of existing problems the FA may even not know.
Unfortunately, coaches over the years have always been sacrificial lambs in situations of this nature but when he talks about particular problems affecting the team, his sack leaves much to be desired.
That aside, it is important to also take another look at the country’s pool of players, both local and foreign based.
Some of us have been advocates for forming the Black Stars around the ever-present local players who may lack the skill, finesse and flamboyance believed to give the foreign based players the edge over their local counterparts.
The locals, however, compensate that with their commitment and dedication.
Sadly, it appears this consistent call have fallen on deaf ears and no one wants to give any attention to that.
If the fear is that results would be poor, then that would be no excuse again following outcomes of the Stars in their last two games.
From what was witnessed in Bouake and Accra, one can confidently boast that there isn’t much difference between the foreign based players and the locals.
If there is any, it would probably be the treatment given to the two sets of players.
The call on the FA now is to give major consideration to the local players. Any coach that sees no good in the local players must have no business handling the national team.
That does not also shut the door on the ‘foreigners’. We witnessed how the early 90s teams were beautifully blended to have a formidable team.
It is time the FA goes back to the basics. With the locals, there can be more camps, leading to improved cohesion. Any foreign based player invited must settle into the team quickly and make a difference. That is the only way to rescue the Black Stars from its free fall.
By Andrew Nortey
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