Sports
Berekum Chelsea, Hearts of Oak set for a crucial clash today
Wednesday’s Ghana Premier League offering sees Berekum Chelsea host giants Hearts of Oak in a match of epic proportions to wrap up matchday-29 of the Ghana Premier League.
While Samuel Boadu witnessed his crop fight back brilliantly against Legon Cities despite losing, the Phobians were made to pay for a shoddy first half in an excruciating 1-0 derby defeat to Accra Lions on Wednesday.
The writing appeared to be on the wall for Hearts of Oak when the half-time whistle blew at the Accra Sports Stadium, as Ibrahim Issah’s exquisite second-half strike propelled Lions to victory, thanks in no small part to familiar Hearts’ wastefulness in the final third.
Hearts of Oak coach Abubakar Ouattara will feel gutted and pressured as his side’s winless run stretches to two matches having lost 2-0 at Legon Cities last week.
While profligacy has reared its ugly head more often than not for Hearts this season, prolific performances have not been easy to come by in the capital after recording just one and suffered four defeats in their last five matches.
Berekum Chelsea’s penchant for goal-laden games at home and Hearts of Oak’s engrossing defeat against Accra Lions certainly gives rise to an all-action affair on Wednesday at the Golden City park.
Also licking the wounds from their nerve-racking and bewitching 3-2 defeat at Legon Cities last weekend, Chelsea will be aiming to return to winning ways when they entertain the capital giants.
Samuel Boadu’s men recorded a 2-0 win over Medeama in their last home match and will hope to consolidate their position on the league table.
Chelsea have accumulated 41 points from 28 matches and sit 6th on the table, having won 2, drawn 1 and lost 1 in their last 5 outings.
Chelsea have recorded 30 points at home, scoring 17 and conceding 5. They are ranked as the 6th best home side in this campaign.
Coach Samuel Boadu’s side are unbeaten in their last 5 home games and are the second club with the least number of goals conceded at home (5).
Hearts of Oak have recorded just 1 win in their last 5 games with 4 defeats. They are 12th on the table with 35 points. The Phobians have managed to accumulate 12 points away from home, scoring 10 and conceding 16. They are ranked as the 6th best away side in the league. Hearts of Oak are winless in their last 3 consecutive away games.
Berekum Chelsea have played Hearts of Oak three times at home in the league since 2020/21 season and all ended in a goalless draw.
The Phobians are yet to find the back of the net at the Golden City Park in Berekum since 2020/21.
Premier league top scorer Stephen Amankonah will be available for the game on Wednesday with the hope of extending his 12-goal tally.
Chelsea can rely on other key players like Afriyie Mezack, Patrick Ansu, Awuah Dramani, Ahmed Adams, Patrick Asiedu, Yaw Dankwah, Zakaria Fuseini, Hubert Gyan, Vincent Adjei, Collins Ameyaw, Shaibu Haruna and Emmanuel Sarpong.
Youngster Hamza Issah, the second top scorer in the league is expected to start the game for the Phobians on Wednesday.
Other players include, Kofi Agbesimah, David Oppong Afrane, Kasim Cisse, Ibrahim Salifu, Glid Otanga, Linda Mtange, Salim Adams, Denis Korsah, Yaw Amankwah Baah, Micheal Ampadu, Thomas Winimi and Enock Asubonteng all available for selection.
The TnA Stadium in Tarkwa will come live tomorrow with a top of the table clash as title-chasing Medeama SC welcome defending champions, Bibiani Gold Stars, in a Match day 31 fixture of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).
Medeama has declared it “Operation Paint Tarkwa Yellow and Mauve” as they gear up for what connoisseurs see as a make or break fixture for both sides.
A win for the home side will stretch their lead on the log to five points and hand them a huge boost in their title aspirations, but a defeat will play into the hands of the visitors.
Both teams head into this fixture with two points separating them on the league log with Medeama SC leading with 53 points.
The first round tie at the Dun’s Park in Bibiani ended goalless, leaving all to be played for in this game.
Third placed side, Hearts of Oak, will trek to the Kwame Kyel Sports Complex to test their might against Nations FC.
Both have faced each other five times since 2023 with the Phobians winning twice, drawing same and losing once.
This season, the Phobians defeat Nation FC 1-0 in the first round game at home and will look to do a double over the Abrankese lads, a plot coach Frimpong Manso and his charges are scheming against.
Hearts have drawn thrice, won once and lost same in their last five games and are heading into the game on the back of a 1-0 loss on the road to Vision FC.
Coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani has charged his boys to put that defeat behind them and go for victory.
At the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park in Dormaa, fourth placed Aduana FC will be chasing their 13th win of the season when they welcome Heart of Lions in their penultimate home game.
The “Ogya Boys” will be seeking a double over the visitors after inflicting a 1-0 win over the Kpando lads at their own backyard last December.
Karela United will look to exact revenge on Young Apostles FC when they host them at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale.
Fifth-placed side, Samartex FC, will stay put at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena to host Basake Holy Stars.
Dreams FC will hope to worsen the plight of Asante Kotoko when they host them at the Tuba Astro Turf.
Vision FC will lock horns with Swedru All Blacks at the Nii Adjei Kraku Sports Complex in Tema today.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
Fierce competition for slots for the 2027 Africa Games continues today at the Borteyman Sports facility in Accra where over 300 athletes from 21 countries have converged to compete in the 15th Africa Armwrestling Championship.
The championship started yesterday with thrilling performances. The fireworks will continue today which happens to be the final day with eyes fixed on medals and ranking points to secure continental glory, and most importantly, a qualification to the 2027 African Games.
It has attracted tough competitors from traditional powerhouses such as Egypt, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa and host nation, Ghana.
They are known for their long-standing dominance in the sport, and are expected to provide stiff competition for the Ghana national Armwrestling team, The Golden Arms.
Also expected to stage a strong contest are the new forces in the Armwrestling arena.
Benin, Mauritius, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Kenya, Eswatini, Burundi, Niger, Senegal, Cote D’viore and Togo are all in town, ready to combat the ‘big guns’ despite their underdog status.
The arrival of South Africa and Benin in particular, adds a fresh competitive edge to the southern and West Africa representation of the tournament.
This edition is under the theme: ‘Pulling Africa Together,’ emphasising the role of sports in fostering regional integration and unity among member states.
Speaking ahead of the competition, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chairperson, Maame Efua Houadjeto, explained that the event provides a platform to bridge cultural gaps and strengthen the bond between African nations through fair play.
Maame Efua, who doubles as Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), also indicated the readiness of the LOC and the country to stage a very impressive championship.
“We are fully prepared to host a world-class championship that reflects the hospitality of Ghana. By bringing the continent to Accra, including our brothers and sisters from Egypt, Nigeria, and the rising stars from Benin and Mauritius, we have demonstrated that Africa is stronger when we lock hands.”
She continued that: “The theme: ‘Pulling Africa Together’ is a call for continental development and peace. We are ready to show that Ghana remains the heartbeat of African sports and the best in hospitality.”
Contributing, Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of Ghana and Africa Armwrestling, commended various partners, especially the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, Ghana Olympic Committee, National Sports Authority, National Petroleum Authority, National Health Insurance Authority, Bethel Logistics, Verna Water, Kofikrom Pharmacy Limited, Stanbic Bank, Kofata Motors, Royal Dach Pharmacy, IMAH Hospital, Event Factory, Awards Center, Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the Ghana Tourism Authority for the unflinching support for the championship.
On his part, Mr Kenneth Odeng Adade, the Chief Operations Officer for the championship, indicated that Borteyman complex has been fitted with international-standard Armwrestling tables and electronic systems to ensure a seamless experience..
As the competition officially ends today, the ‘Golden Arms’ of Ghana will be looking to leverage home-court advantage against the technical prowess of the Egyptians and the raw power of the Nigerians.
