Sports
Hearts to worsen plight of Dreams …as Kotoko storm Tamale for RTU
Another golden opportunity to clinch maximum points awaits Hearts of Oak’s new Serbian coach Matic Slavko when they host Dreams FC in their Week 8 betPawa Ghana Premier League fixture at the Accra Sports Stadium tomorrow.
The game would also offer the Serbian and his charges an opportunity to showcase their worth in the absence of talisman Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, who is with the senior national team, the Black Stars at the World Cup in Qatar.
It had also come at a good time for Hearts when Dreams FC seem to be at their lowest level of performance, having picked just a point in their last five games going into the encounter.
More so, playing at home against a struggling side should be handled like a hot knife slicing through butter for the Phobians who seem to be on a resurgence path.
In the absence of Barnieh, the Phobians could boast of the likes of Gladson Awako, Isaac Mensah, Salifu Ibrahim and veteran Samuel Inkoom to secure all three points.
However, Dreams FC could be up to cause an upset and get their season back on track, following their disappointing run in recent times.
The Dawu lads started the season on a very bright note and won their first two games, but their fortunes took a downward turn afterwards.
They will, however, go into tomorrow’s game hoping to turn their fortunes around and give the Phobians a run for their money.
A win against Hearts would also move Dreams FC up the table as they currently lie 14th, just above the likes of King Faisal, Kotoku Royals, Samartex and Tamale City.
Another team that should be beaming with confidence and geared up to securing another three points would be Accra Great Olympics as they travel to face Berekum Chelsea.
Olympics are enjoying a decent run after bouncing back from defeat in the hands of Legon Cities on match-day 6 to win their last game against Real Tamale United (RTU) on Wednesday.
They would be fired up to maintain their momentum and clinch another win away at Berekum against a side that is yet to make a huge statement so far, this season. A difficult task, though, it should be for the visitors.
Elsewhere, Bechem United host Nsoatreman at Bechem with a determination to secure consecutive wins, while Samartex will square off with Karela in another cagey encounter.
Medeama SC host Kotoku Royals at Tarkwa, while high-rising Legon Cities battle it out with Bibiani Goldstars in Accra.
Aduana Stars travel all the way to Tamale to play Tamale City with King Faisal and impressive Accra Lions settling their scores at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Meanwhile, RTU will this afternoon host Asante Kotoko at Tamale in a fierce encounter to begin the weekend’s round of exciting premier league fixtures.
BY MICHAEL D. ABAYATEYE
Already relegated Eleven Wonders FC return to action on Friday with a determined quest to salvage pride as they host Bechem United FC at the Swedru Sports Stadium in the Premier League.
Despite their confirmed drop, Eleven Wonders remain committed to finishing the season on a competitive note. However, their campaign has been a difficult one, reflected in their poor run of form.
They are winless in their last five league matches, managing just a single draw against FC Samartex 1996 while suffering four defeats.
The numbers further highlight their struggles this season. With only 10 points from 28 matches, Eleven Wonders sit at the bottom of the table, having scored the fewest goals (17) and conceded the most (53) in the league.
Their home performances have offered little relief, with just one win, one draw, and three consecutive defeats in their last five matches on home soil—making them the weakest home side in the competition.
In contrast, Bechem United travel to Swedru with renewed confidence.
The Hunters have shown encouraging improvement, picking up points in four of their last five matches, including back-to-back 2-1 victories, two draws, and just one defeat. They currently sit 13th on the table with 37 points from 28 games, albeit with a game in hand over some of their rivals.
Having scored 25 goals and conceded 31 this season, Bechem United remain locked in a tense battle to avoid relegation, sitting just two points above the drop zone. While their recent form is promising, their away record remains a concern.
They have managed just one win, two draws, and ten defeats in 13 away matches this season.
That solitary away victory came in a crucial 2-1 triumph over FC Samartex 1996 at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena on matchday 27—a result they will look to build upon as they aim to secure valuable points on the road.
The Black Queens will on Wednesday, April 29, learn their opponents for the African qualifying phase of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games Women’s Football Tournament.
The draw, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), will take place at CAF headquarters in Cairo and will be streamed live on CAF TV from 15:00 local time (12:00 GMT).
Ghana is among 35 national teams participating in the qualification campaign, which will determine the two African representatives for the women’s football tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, scheduled for July 11 to 29, 2028.
The qualification series will be played over five rounds, with each nation aiming to secure one of the two available slots for Africa at the global event in Los Angeles.
Having recently climbed to 59th in the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings and currently ranked third in Africa, the draw marks the beginning of another major international mission, the quest to seek a return to Olympic football.
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