Sports
Can Kotoko, Hearts Bounce Back?
Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko would hope to return to winning ways this weekend following defeats in their Matchday 13 Ghana Premier League (GPL) games last week.
Both teams suffered defeats on the road, leaving them with 21 points apiece, with the Phobians sitting seventh, two places below Kotoko.
At the University of Ghana Sports Stadium today, Hearts of Oak will attempt a second straight victory when they host Nations FC. The Phobians lost 1-0 to Nations FC last season in this fixture at the Tuba Astro Turf, a game many Hearts fans would want to forget.
Tomorrow, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, injury-stricken Asante Kotoko will hope for a good day when they host 14th-placed Dreams FC. Dreams FC suffered a 4-1 battering last season in this fixture and will be looking for revenge.
Dreams FC, led by Winfred Dormon, a protégé of Coach Zito, will aim to exact revenge on his former boss following that heavy defeat last season.
After going down 2-0 in the highly-anticipated Western Derby against Samartex FC last week, Bibiani Gold Stars return to their base at the Dun’s Park to host Medeama SC in another blockbuster Western derby.
Following their 2-0 victory over Hearts last week, Karela United will trek to the Wenchi Sports Stadium to face Young Apostles.
In other games, Berekum Chelsea will hope to return to winning ways when they host high-flying Hohoe United at the Golden City Park, while Basake Holy Stars FC will host Samartex FC at the Ampian AAK II Sports Arena in Azulewanu.
Swedru All Blacks will take on Vision FC at the Swedru Stadium, with the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park hosting the Bechem United FC vs. Eleven Wonders game.
By Raymond Ackumey
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew says Ghana will leave nothing on the pitch when they face England in today’s World Cup Group L decider at Gillette Stadium.
With both teams on 3 points, Ayew said his job is to ease pressure on the younger players and hold everyone accountable, himself included.
“I’m doing my best to guide the boys, make them comfortable, take pressure off them, and help us perform,” Ayew told reporters. “I have to perform too. They have to perform too. It’s teamwork. We’re helping each other.”
Ghana come into the Foxborough clash after a 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto. England beat Croatia 4-2 in their opener.
The captain’s message was simple, “We’re going to give our 100% and we’re going to fight. I’ll make sure when we come off that pitch, we have no regrets.”
The winner takes control of Group L. Kickoff is 4:00 PM ET at Gillette Stadium.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Black Stars forward Brandon Thomas-Asante insists Ghana will carry no pressure into Tuesday’s World Cup showdown with England at Boston Stadium, saying the team’s self-belief and sense of purpose outweigh outside expectations.
Brandon provided a 95th minute assist that helped Ghana beat Panama 1-0 in Toronto.
The win left both Ghana and England level on three points in Group L following the Three Lions 4-2 over Croatia in their opening match.
Speaking to ghanafa.org Thomas-Asante is adamant that external doubt only fuels the squad.
“Everything to the best ability, it’s very much a case of we back ourselves, we believe in ourselves. Whether people on the outside doubt us, believe us, or anything that’s not what we think about. We think about why we’re here. We’re on a mission,” Thomas-Asante said.
The Coventry City forward said that mission removes any weight of expectation. “That means there’s no pressure. It’s even less pressure for us,” he explained.
“We know our fans believe, but we know that some people might want to overlook us. We use that to our advantage preparing properly and believing that we can go and do something,” He added.
England and Ghana both sit on three points heading into the Foxborough clash, with the winner set to take control of Group L. Kickoff at Boston Stadium on Tuesday.
GFA COMMUNICATIONS
