Sports
Planned action for Los Angeles 2028
Rose Yeboah would need the support of the state to improve her performance ahead of Los Angeles 2028
Three weeks of impressive, outstanding and record-breaking performances came to an end on Sunday when the curtain on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was lowered.
It started beautifully with a historic opening ceremony held outside of a stadium; with the river Seine in Paris becoming a major tourist site as hundreds of athletes and officials put up spectacular displays on it to open the ceremony.
However, the controversy over LGBTQ+ and religious issues that followed the scripting or concept for the ceremony can also not be ignored.
The show on Sunday was equally electrifying as it featured the best from sports, music and entertainment sectors to give athletes and fans a perfect giveaways.
There were a few hitches, though. For instance, the men’s triathlon event was delayed for a day following concerns over the quality of water in the Seine River.
Officials postponed the event to improve the swimming portions of the river.
But generally, it will go into the annals of the event as one of the best managed games.
The United States of America once again proved their mettle in sports – not football, total sports, winning 126 medals.
The closest was China with 91 and the Great Britain winning a total of 65.
Definitely, every sports fan would be proud of sports administrators in such regions.
Back home, the Ghanaian contingent of two swimmers on Wild Cards, sprinters and high jumper, Rose Amoaniwaa Yeboah, accompanied by officials have returned and fellow Ghanaians are still proud of them, despite coming home empty-handed.
They cannot be blamed all the time. They competed under difficult circumstances. They were ill-motivated.
Having usually lambasted both athletes and officialdom in the past depending on where the heartbreak will come from, it is important to shift the focus a bit to take a holistic look as Africa as a continent to identify its strengths and weaknesses.
Africa won 39 medals overall made up of 13 gold, 12 silver and 14 bronze medals spread across 12 nations.
Kenya recorded the highest number of 11.
Comparatively, that marks an increase of two medals at the Tokyo 2020 games (held in 2021 due to COVID-19 outbreak) held in Japan but below the 45 recorded in Rio 2016.
That raises serious concerns about the direction for sports in Africa. Countries are spending huge sums to develop or build formidable teams to be at the top but it is not so in Africa.
What is available is also not spread evenly as the chunk of the sports budgets are spent on football, sometimes to the detriment of the other sports.
Surely, with this approach, Africa will keep playing second fiddle to the other nations.
But Africa’s problem with sports is actually bigger than what the eye can see and instead of tackling it head on, officials play around them, raising the hopes of her people.
Apart from the issue of finance, African states also face a huge challenge with infrastructure and many other factors that makes it difficult to raise world class athletes or competitors at home.
A piece on the BBC website on the performances of African nations is quite revealing and shocking, and even scary if a Ghanaian dreams about seeing a fellow Ghanaian mount the Olympic podium to receive a gold medal.
According to the report, the team that represented Great Britain and Northern Ireland, for example, was awarded just over £245m ($313m) for the Paris Olympic cycle.
This may sound like a dream.
The United States, meanwhile, boasts world-class facilities, a college system providing a pipeline of top-level talent in individual and team sports and huge sponsorship deals.
Egypt is the only African country dreaming about closing that huge gap by spending billions of dollars building sports complexes, partly with a view to bid to host the Olympics in 2036 or 2040.
May be, the shortest route to an African challenge is to start planning at a certain level to accept that the continent is lagging behind and instead of practicing mass sports at this level, countries should consider events with competitive advantages.
Botswana won its second successive medal in the men’s 4x400m relay in Paris – with South Africa and Zambia also in that final – and 200m champion LetsileTebogo secured the country’s first ever gold.
Countries that are good in boxing, long distances, the jumps and others must rather focused on investing heavily in them to raise the athletes needed to make the continent proud.
But that could also put the continent in the dark regarding the field and indoor event but no matter the plan of action, it must be one that will put the continent in the limelight.
But a few medals in those with competitive advantages could make a better case than presenting hundreds of half-baked athletes to disappoint.
The countdown for Los Angeles 2028 begun the moment the Games flag was handed over to officials from the popular US state and Ghana, just like other countries, may have less than a week short of four years to prepare.
By Andrew Nortey
Sports
Ghana Premier League Returns with Fresh Signings, New Coaches and High Expectations
The Ghana Premier League (GPL) is back for the 2025/26 season, promising one of the most competitive campaigns yet. Clubs across the country have strengthened their technical teams and recruited a blend of youth and experience as they aim to improve their squads and challenge for honours.
Our GPL Statistician, Shaban Mohammed provides a rundown of how clubs have shaped up in the preseason ahead of Friday’s kickoff.
Defending Champions Gold Stars Ready for Title Defence
Gold Stars, reigning league champions, have reinforced their squad in all departments. Backup goalkeeper Kwadwo Osei Bonsu joins to compete with Emmanuel Kobi, while the attack has been bolstered with Sampson Eduku, Prince Opoku Agyemang, Emmanuel Agyenim Boateng, and Burkinabé international Sanou Razack. Midfield stalwarts Francis Twene, Emmanuel Fosu Kyei, Emmanuel Kontor, Emmanuel Agyei, and Emmanuel Kojo Addy are expected to be pivotal. The champions head into the season on a high after lifting the Ghalca Top Four trophy.
Kotoko, Hearts and Lions Eye the Crown
Asante Kotoko also have their sights firmly set on the league title. Under coach Abdul Karim Zito, the Porcupine Warriors won the President’s Cup against Hearts of Oak, the Toyota Cup against Kaizer Chiefs, and the Champion of Champions match over Gold Stars. Key arrivals include goalkeeper Dari Aziz Haruna from Bechem United, Walid Fuseini, Sahyibu Abubakari, Musah Hamzata, Joseph Amoah, and Guinean striker Morifing Donzo.
Hearts of Oak are undergoing a resurgence under new head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani. After winning the Homowo and Democracy Cups and finishing joint-top of the GHALCA Top Four, the Phobians have strengthened their side with goalkeeper Solomon Agbasi, forward Prince Kwabena Owusu, Ali Mohammed, Paaku George, Rocky Dwamena, Abdul Karim, Frank Abora Duku, Baba Adamu, and Henry Kwaku Boateng.
Heart of Lions are also in the mix for the title after a strong pre-season. They have added Dennis Korsah, Chauncy Freeman, Michael Noumon, Yaw Polo, Emmanuel Anokye, and Faisal James to their squad.
Aduana FC, Karela United Lead Transfer Rush
Aduana FC were among the most active in the transfer window, signing experienced goalkeeper Obeng Sekyere Gregory from Berekum Chelsea, forward Mizack Afriyie, and striker Remember Adomako from Accra Lions. Former club captain Bright Adjei also returns, alongside Patrick Mensah, Riise Opoku Mensah, Dominic Frimpong, and Abdul Aziz Nurudeen.
Karela United, who have narrowly avoided relegation in the past two seasons, have rebuilt their squad with Evans Osei Wusu (a league winner with Samartex), Bless Ege (2024 MTN FA Cup finalist), goalkeepers Daniel Afadzwu and Kelvin Kofi Saaba, and foreign signings Oliver Adom from Ivory Coast and Cameroonian forward Franky Aoudou.
Key Signings Across the League
· Asante Kotoko: Lord Hilary Adaboi (Samartex), Dari Aziz Haruna (Bechem United), Walid Fuseini.
· Hearts of Oak: Solomon Agbasi (Free Agent), Abdul Karim (Nations FC), Prince Kwabena Owusu (Gold Stars).
· Medeama SC: Rich Sackey (Aduana FC), Fuzy Taylor (Accra Lions).
· Berekum Chelsea: Augustine Agyapong, Michael Awuah Mensah, Samuel Amofa.
· Vision FC: Dickson Afoakwa (Rainmasters), Kwame Aziz (Legon Cities).
· Nations FC: Faruk Mohammed (Hohoe United), Lawrence Ansah.
· Swedru All Blacks: John Andoh (Soccer Intellectuals), Junior Yeboah (Pac Academy), Benjamin York.
· Hohoe United: Michael Yeboah (Great Olympics), Alhassan Adamu (Karela), Maxwell Agyemang.
· Eleven Wonders: Daniel Lomotey (formerly WAFA, Medeama, Young Apostles).
Coaching Carousel: Continuity and Change
Only two of the 18 GPL clubs have appointed foreign coaches: Swedru All Blacks hired Egyptian Ahmed Fati, while Aduana FC retained Romanian Cioba Arista. Ten clubs maintained their coaches, including Abdul Karim Zito (Asante Kotoko), Frimpong Manso (Gold Stars), Nurudeen Amadu (Karela United), Nana Agyemang (Vision FC), Ibrahim Tanko (Medeama SC), Samuel Boadu (Berekum Chelsea), Christopher Ennin (Samartex), Bashir Hayford (Heart of Lions), and Kasim Mingle Ocansey (Nations FC).
Hearts of Oak, Eleven Wonders, Basake Holy Stars, Swedru All Blacks, Hohoe United, Dreams FC, Bechem United, and Young Apostles have all appointed new coaches as they seek to refresh their technical directions.
With major signings, tactical shake-ups, and heightened ambitions across the board, the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling campaigns in recent times’ memory.
Sports
Premier League: Accra Hearts of Oak eye fast start against debutants Hohoe United on Friday night
Accra Hearts of Oak will launch their 2025/26 Premier League campaign with a home tie against newly promoted Hohoe United at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, September 12, 2025.
The Phobians enter the season as strong contenders for the title, while their opponents will be making their long-awaited debut in the country’s top-flight competition.
The 2024/25 season offered renewed optimism for Hearts of Oak after they finished fourth in the 2024-25 campaign. The Phobians finished fourth with 16 wins, 10 draws and only 8 defeats, the joint-second lowest tally in the top-flight.
They also boasted one of the league’s best defensive records, conceding just 18 goals across 34 matches.
Yet, despite their progress, one statistic continues to haunt them: Hearts have failed to win any of their last four Premier League season openers (D1, L3). Head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani and his players will be eager to break that trend in front of their home fans.
The capital giant has also strengthened significantly in the transfer market. High-profile recruit Prince Kwabena Owusu, formerly of Gold Stars FC, headlines the list of arrivals, alongside other notable additions designed to add depth and quality across the pitch.
Pre-season performances have been encouraging, with Hearts securing three wins and a draw, including a strong showing in the GHALCA Top Four competition. These results suggest the Phobians are well-prepared to mount a serious title challenge this season.
Hohoe United – Newcomers with Big Dreams
For Hohoe United, the match represents a historic milestone, their first-ever fixture in the Premier League. The Zone Three champions secured promotion in emphatic fashion last season, amassing an impressive 72 points from 30 matches (W23, D3, L4). Their dominance saw them outpace promotion rivals Port City FC and Okwahu United to seal their place in the top tier.
One of United’s standout strengths last season was their away form. They collected 27 points on the road, the second-highest total in the Access Bank Division One League. Such resilience on their travels could prove crucial as they adapt to the tougher challenges of top-flight football.
Keenly aware of the demands ahead, Hohoe United have bolstered their squad with several experienced campaigners. Among them are Ebenezer Amega from Legon Cities, Kwaku Musah from FC Nania, Rainmasters’ Daniel Osei Senior and former Great Olympics forward Michael Yeboah.
These signings bring a blend of quality and know-how, and will be central to United’s efforts to avoid the drop in their debut campaign. United will be looking to defy the odds and claim a memorable result against one of Ghana’s most storied and decorated clubs in their maiden Premier League outing.
Head-to-Head
This fixture marks the first-ever competitive meeting between Hearts of Oak and Hohoe United in Premier League history, adding an extra layer of intrigue to Friday’s clash.
What to Expect
The Accra Sports Stadium is set for an electric atmosphere as Hearts of Oak seek to begin their season on the front foot, backed by their passionate fans. For Hohoe United, the occasion offers both a daunting challenge and an opportunity to announce themselves on the big stage.
With one side eager to launch a title push and the other hungry to prove they belong, this season opener promises to deliver drama, intensity, and perhaps even history.
