Sports
Every word from Otto Addo’s post-Angola press conference
There was plenty to discuss in Otto Addo’s post-match press conference on Thursday. The discussion was dominated by factors that led to the loss to Angola, missed chances and the quality of the Baba Yara pitch.
The boss was also asked about the game in general, lessons learnt from the game, and plan for the remaining matches. Here is a full transcript…………….
On his thoughts on the game
First of all congratulations to Angola – they did well, they changed the tactical formations. We saw it before the game, they started with three central defenders so we knew they will play differently. They took a high risk pressing us very, very higher. I think you could see that their energy in the first half, they lost a little bit of power. We still created chances because they played in the last line – one against one. Sometimes it was just one against one defender, sometimes it was Antoine, Jordan, and Fataw, three against three and yeah, surely there we could have done more. In the second half, I think we took control. We controlled the game, we created a lot of chances, or even half chances where I think we have to try and take faster decisions to shoot earlier a little bit. I like that they play like a team, but sometimes a little bit more egoistic in shooting will be good. The goalkeeper did well. Congratulations to the goalkeeper, he saved some really good goals and at the end, I mean at least, I think we deserve the point at least. It was a little bit unlucky and yeah, you can just hope that I don’t like to do this, but on this pitch, to be honest, the guys did really well. In a second half, to control the game, they did it. You have to work on the pitch to get better, because it’s very difficult. And then mistakes can happen.
On losing at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for the first time in 24 years
I does not feel good.
On lesson from defeat
Surely, we have to be more clinical. I saw a lot of situations where we could have shot earlier, we should have been a little bit more egoistic. Even though I don’t like if a player has a better position and you don’t give him the ball, I don’t like it. But this game, I think there was a lot of situations where we could have taken shots and we passed to the next one, passed to the next one. Also, I think the players that did that all, they tried everything, we control the match and this is also football. I was a player myself. I had bad games when we won and sometimes you play good and you lose. This is football.
On late changes
I know that if I would have changed earlier, people would have said, why did you change. Whatever you do, I know when you lose, you’re the bad guy. But I take it. After the game, everybody knows more and maybe we could have done better in changing. I’ll think about it I’ll take it home and think about it but like I said the second half to be honest was really, really good. We had the right positions. In the first half we had some problems, I talked with Alidu Seidu, he was too high so he had to come back. We took better positions in between the lines and the player played well. We break them down to the half and we didn’t allow too many counter situations even though there were some which were also dangerous and yeah, like I said, football is sometimes like that. We were lucky maybe a little bit even though we deserved to win in Mali. But there we scored a goal and won and today Angola scored a goal. Bit I can just repeat myself, I think at least a draw would have been deserved.
Problems in the heart of defense and midfield
No, because the quality is there. I think even though we lost I saw that the quality is there, Mumin was unlucky that he couldn’t clear the ball at the end but he made some mistakes before so it’s not only him. The grass is also not that good but besides that he made a really, really good game and sent a lot of good balls in between the line, won a lot of duels so you know they’re young boys and I know they will develop and surely we will have to learn all of this to be more clinical and at least to get a point at least out of this match.
On the pitch
Bumpy, the height and all wasn’t good enough
Absence of key players in Central defense and its effect
Do you think you have a major problem in defence. But surely we lost today 1-0. And we have to look also not only at the goal but also on the chances we allowed. But I said it I think the last time against the Central African Republic. It depends on the start and the back line. Sometimes it’s more also the midfield, sometimes it’s the front, the way we are pressed, the way we attack, we don’t have to allow them to play clear balls into the last line and we have to avoid these situations where they have a one-on-one situation at the box and so we have to be more compact, we have to work on that I know it was not easy, the players all played in Europe mostly and we’re tired but the same for Angola and today I think they were lucky at the end but yeah like I said we have to learn out of it there’s a lot of things to learn in a lot of situation and just to be clear I don’t want to blame this loss on the pitch even though it was not good but against Central African Republic it was also not good and we won so we have to do better this year.
On Angola switching tactics before and during the game
I mean we took different positions when we saw that they played the five back. I think like I said we did quite well Angolans taking high risk in the first half as they pressed us and this allowed us to have a situation where we had one of one runs We didn’t use them well, the last pass, the last shot was not clinical enough. And in the second half I think we controlled them but we were a little bit unlucky to concede the goal.
I can’t really say much bad things about the second half, just like we have to score. In football sometimes it’s like that, if you don’t score, sometimes at the end you get punished but we are still in the race despite the defeat.
On positives going into the next game against Niger
The second half makes me very confident. The good thing is that it’s all still in our own hands. We play against all the other teams in our group and it’s all in our hands. We will not depend on anybody to qualify, at the moment and this is the good thing, this is a positive thing and I guess like it has been said there’s a lot of positive things to be taken out of the second half but surely at least we should draw this game and we have to learn to be more clinical, to make earlier shots and to be a little bit more egoistic it’s a thin line because I don’t want them to be too egoistic. But we have to get out of this and we will discuss the game tomorrow morning. I will show them a lot of clips and hopefully we will learn for the next match.
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.
