Sports
GPL Matchday 8: Hearts face Medeama, Aduana host Bofoakwa today
The Accra Hearts of Oak versus Medeama SC tie headlines the fixtures for Matchday 8 of the betPawa Premier League.
The League champions are gradually picking up the pieces after a steady start to the 2023/24 Premier League campaign. Medeama SC started the season with a 2-2 draw against Accra Lions at home – and continued with an impressive away win (2-1) over Bechem United before losing to Aduana FC and Dreams FC respectively.
The mauve and yellows are now in 8th place with 10 points following back to back wins over Nations FC and FC Samartex 1996.
Hearts of Oak are enduring one of their worst starts to the Premier League in history after grabbing only six points and scoring only 2 goals in their six League matches.
The Phobians have won one and drawn two in three games at home – and picked only one point on the road after losing to Real Tamale United and Bofoakwa Tano and snatching a point from Bibaini against Gold Stars on Sunday.
Hearts of Oak are winless in the League since Sunday, September 24, (Matchday Two) when they pip Nsoatreman FC 1-0 at the Accra Sports stadium after the opening day defeat to Real Tamale United. The former African champions were battered 5-1 by Medeama SC last season and have to work off their socks to avoid a similar humiliation at home.
Medeama SC go into the game with loads of optimism having recovered from a slow start to the League – with two consecutive victories against Nations FC and FC Samartex in their last two outings.
Four points separate the sides – with Hearts of Oak sitting in the 16th spot with 6 points while Medeama SC find themselves in the middle belt with 10 points with one outstanding game each.
Elsewhere in Dormaa – resurgent Aduana FC will host unbeaten Bofoakwa Tano at Nana Agyemang Badu Park. Aduana FC are on a good run after winning three of their four games – including a come from behind win against Real Tamale United in Tamale – a win that catapulted them to the 2nd spot in the table with 12 points – one point behind leaders Nsoatreman FC. Two-time champions Aduana FC are unbeaten at home after picking victories over Medeama SC, Berekum Chelsea and Accra Great Olympics. The Ogya lads welcome a Bofoakwa Tano side that have yet to suffer defeat in the League following a remarkable start to the League. Aduana FC have a strong home record (3 wins from 3 games) as Bofoakwa Tano also boast of an unbeaten record in seven Premier League games.
The game is scheduled for 3pm kick off at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.
Legon Cities will travel to Sameraboi to take on FC Samartex 1996, Dreams FC will square off with Berekum Chelsea at Dawu, while Karela United entertain Bibiani Gold Stars at Aliu Mahama stadium.
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.
