Sports
Karela United tipped to shove Liberty aside
League leaders Karela United will attempt to maintain their hold on top of the ladder as they welcome struggling Liberty Professionals to the Anyinase Park tomorrow in the Week 15 encounter of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).
Already tipped as title favourites, Karela have enjoyed a great run of results in the ongoing season as they edge closer to their target.
After picking up a vital away win against Ebusua Dwarfs in their last meeting, the Anyinase-based side would be eager to continue with their winning streak.
With talisman Diawusie Taylor in good shape ahead of the clash, the top scorer will be hoping to continue with his fine scoring form as he currently boasts of 10 goals from 14 games which has won him a call-up to the Black Stars ahead of the AFCON qualifiers.
The ‘Scientific Soccer’ lads, however, have not been impressive this season. With only three wins, six draws and five defeats as they occupy the 15th position with 15 points.
Nevertheless, Liberty, who were up by a 2-1 lead only for Inter Allies to snatch the equaliser late in the game, could use tomorrow’s test to escape from the relegation zone. The return of darling boy Brite Andoh and the addition of energetic midfielder Prosper Ahiabu, will do good to their assignment.
In the other weekend clash, trouble-hit Hearts of Oak host Ebusua Dwarfs at the Accra Sports Stadium tomorrow in a dicey game. The Phobians, after two straight defeats at the feet of local rivals Great Olympics and Medeama SC last weekend, would seek to return to winning ways and bring back the lost hopes of some agitated fans.
Hearts go into battle without Serbian gaffer Kosta Papic, goalkeeper’s trainer Ben Owu ahead of the clash as the duo have left their post following alleged managerial interference. A win for the Phobians tomorrow would be a huge relief and a giant step in their bid to win the championship.
Elsewhere, fifth-placed Bechem United square off with a transformed Legon Cities who are yet to record a defeat in their last five games, having posted two impressive wins and three draws. The Hunters dropped from first place after Medeama put them to the sword and they would be desperate for a win in order to keep them in the title race. Coach Bashir Hayford could also pull a surprise to extend their unbeaten run.
Bottom-placed Inter Allies would also battle it out with WAFA today at the Accra Sports Stadium with Inter Allies seeking to move out of the danger zone. With two victories and two draws, the Allies have lost 10 times, making them the side with the most defeats in the ongoing season. They managed a point in their last encounter and could make an improvement.
The action continues tomorrow where Berekum Chelsea would play host to high-flying Dreams FC where the ‘Still Believe’ lads would be hoping to continue their unbeaten run to nine and become the longest unbeaten outfit in the league currently. Chelsea will certainly face a tough test with the Dawu-based side that are currently unstoppable under new Serbian gaffer Vladislav Viric.
In-form Accra Great Olympics will travel to face Eleven Wonders at the Nana Ameyaw Oark in Techiman tomorrow. The ‘Dade’ boys would be aiming to worsen the plight of their struggling hosts who lie 16th on the league, despite a good start at the beginning of the campaign.
A win for Olympics could unseat leaders Karela if the latter falls.
Following a shaky start, Medeama SC have climbed from the relegation zone to sit seventh on the league log with crucial wins against Aduana Stars, Hearts and Bechem United. The Tarkwa-based side is gradually pulling up the strings to fight for a top-four slot as a win tomorrow will increase their title dreams despite being written off by most bookmakers.
As of press time yester-night, AshantiGold were squaring off with Aduana Stars.
Ghana’s only contingent in Africa, Asante Kotoko had their epic clash with King Faisal postponed due to their participation in the CAF Confederations Cup.
The Porcupine Warriors would have to overturn the 1-2 defeat to Algerian side ES Setif in the first leg at the Accra Sports Stadium to sail through.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
Attention will be at the Golden City Park in Berekum tomorrow as Hearts of Oak lock horns with Berekum Chelsea FC in a Ghana Premier League Matchday 6 game that promises an electrifying atmosphere.
Lying sixth on the league table with two wins and three draws, the Phobians visit a ground that has been favourable to them in recent times. In their last three visits to the Golden City Park, Hearts have amassed seven out of nine points, putting them in strong contention to win.
Head Coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani says, “The team is making progress in its tactical identity despite the lack of goals, and this is something we are working on ahead of this game.”
Hearts will come face-to-face with former coach Samuel Boadu, whose side lies a distant 13th on the league table with a win and a draw from four games. Coach Boadu is yet to celebrate a victory over the Phobians since joining the Berekum lads and would hope this fixture marks a turnaround.
Ninth-placed Vision FC would trek to the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem to play Bechem United, while new boys Hohoe United host Aduana FC at the Hohoe Sports Stadium.
Returnees Swedru All Blacks will welcome Basake Holy Stars to the Swedru Sports Stadium, with defending league champions Bibiani Gold Stars staying put at their backyard, the Dun’s Park, to welcome second-placed Heart of Lions FC on Monday.
Today at the TnA Stadium in Tarkwa, Medeama SC will clash with Samartex FC in a Western derby. Other games scheduled for today would see Eleven Wonders FC host Karela United at the Swedru Sports Stadium, while Dreams FC face Nations FC at the Tuba Astro Turf.
By Raymond Ackumey
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Ghana coach Otto Addo may not command the kind of fear and respect like Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Luis Enrique and others in the modern game, but in his small corner, he is gradually climbing the ladder to greatness in Ghana, Africa and the world at large.
The aforementioned coaches attained greatness with club sides and, therefore, open an argument over whether one is not comparing apples to oranges. But no matter how one looks at it, they are all coaches harbouring similar ambitions to attain greatness in their fields.
Otto Addo is one of the young and upcoming coaches holding a lot of promise and was getting experience with his association with Borussia Dortmund in Germany until his path was directed by a Ghana call.
Although he was born in Germany, Otto Addo’s association with Ghana football dates back to 1999, spanning a period of about seven years; commencing with a 5–0 rout of Eritrea on February 28. He gained international prominence when he joined the squad for the 2000 African Cup of Nations. He featured as a midfielder in the team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
But like it’s often said, a prophet is not recognised in his own home and his efforts partially went unnoticed. He’ll go into the annals as one of the Black Stars coaches to have been fairly or otherwise criticised not just by ‘football people’ but fans who doubted him.
His sack has been discussed at various platforms by people whose knowledge and tactical acumen about the game remains questionable. Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Mr Kofi Adams, at one point openly stated his doubts over Otto Addo’s ability to actually deliver.
No coach would feel secured in such turbulent times, but coach Otto Addo kept his calm and composure. On the corridors of his employers, however, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kurt Okraku, openly rallied support for him, though a few ‘doubting Thomases’ still questioned his credentials.
That painted a picture of a people that forget easily and are quick to crucify. In a brief moment of adversity, Ghanaians forgot how Otto Addo was brought in to pluck qualification for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup from the jaws of the Super Eagles of Nigeria with a solitary goal over two legs.
The upshot of that feat was not one any Nigerian would want to remember. The scenes after the match were awfully chaotic, as fans vented their anger on facilities at the stadium. Back in Ghana, it was partying all night and day.
Otto Addo was labeled the football magician. He achieved something no Ghanaian coach had ever accomplished; a feat which Ghana with her all-time best teams could not attain. That was the climax to which Otto Addo took Ghana football, generating calls to start believing in the Ghanaian coach.
Following that to the World Cup proper was another story altogether. It was, or may have been, our poorest show at any of the four World Cup appearances. And just as it was stipulated in his contract, he bowed out after the Qatar World Cup to mind his Borussia Dortmund business with peace.
But as fate would have it, nature found a way to renew his romance with Ghana football after an unconvincing start to the America, Canada and Mexico dream World Cup under special advisor turned coach, Chris Hughton.
Ghana started the qualifiers on a winning note but not a convincing performance. It was saved by an Inaki Williams goal scored on the sixth minute of additional time against Madagascar at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. The Black Stars then slumped to a 1-0 defeat at the Stade de Moroni to Comoros to heighten calls for a new technical direction.
Then stepped in Otto Addo when Ghana occupied the fourth position in Group I with three points but with the countries in the group evenly matched.
By Andrew Nortey
