Sports
Hearts face Samartex in tough affair
Hearts of Oak will welcome Samartex to the Accra Sports Stadium tomorrow to honour a cagey match-day 13 clash of the betPawa Premier League.
The Phobians in their last two games under the tutelage of assistant coach David Ocloo have been impressive, snatching a sweet comeback triumph over Tamale City a week ago. That vintage victory should inspire them to beat Samartex at home.
At the the Nana Gyeabour Park, Bechem United will play host to Medeama SC. The visitors managed to rediscover their form to beat Nsoatreman 2-0, having earlier seen a 4-0 humiliation by Dreams FC a week earlier, while the latter must go all out for a win after securing only a point in their last two meetings.
Struggling Karela United will face off with league leaders Aduana Stars at the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park tomorrow.
Aduana Stars are yet to concede defeat in their last three encounters, with one victory and two draws but will have to do without the services of talisman Bright Adjei, who is expected to seal a move to Tanzania in the coming days.
After match-day five, Karela have failed to win a single game with three defeats and four stalemates.
Real Tamale United will make a trip to Dawu to square off with Dreams FC at the Theatre of Dreams on Sunday.
Tomorrow’s action packed games will see bottom-placed Kotoku Royals battle it out with Accra Great Olympics at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, while debutants Nsoatreman lock horns with Legon Cities.
On Monday, two more games will be staged as Accra Lions face Berekum Chelsea at the Accra Sports Stadium, while reigning champions Asante Kotoko slug it out with Bibiani Goldstars at the Dun’s Park in Bibiani to climax the week’s games.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
Sports
Black Starlets arrives in Morocco on U-17 AFCON mission …FA boss charges team to make Ghana proud
The Black Starlets, the national U-17 male team, have safely arrived in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team departed Accra on Wednesday, travelling with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.
They completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.
The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, was present at the Accra International Airport to bid farewell to the team.
Speaking during a brief farewell at the Airport, the FA President urged the team to carry a ‘never say die’ spirit into the competition.
President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity, particularly in difficult moments during matches. His message was inspired by the team’s recent friendly encounters against Cote d’Ivoire, where they bounced back strongly after an initial defeat.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Cote d’Ivoire in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to bounce back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” he said. “I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added.
The FA president stressed that the ability to respond positively to setbacks would be crucial in a tournament as competitive as the AFCON.
He encouraged the players to stay united and support one another when the pressure intensifies on the continental stage.
“When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together,” Okraku added. “So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, with their opening match scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-three (23) players have been called up for this month’s international friendly against Mexico.
The squad is composed of star players from the domestic league and European leagues who are closely monitored by Coach Carlos Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers.
Notable names include Majeed Ashimeru, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson, and Birmingham City’s Ibrahim Osman.
Ashimeru returns to action after a long spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury that limited his appearances at both club and national level.
Also in the team is Felix Afena-Gyan, whose last appearance for Ghana was in May last year when he featured against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Étienne, Ibrahim Osman of Birmingham City, and Paul Reverson of Ajax FC have also been included in the squad.
Midfielder Salim Adams, one of the key players for Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC, leads the group of home-based players.
Others are Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, Ebenezer Adade of Dreams FC, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson. Ghana will travel to Mexico for the international friendly on Friday, May 22, 2026.
