Sports
Kotoko, Hearts face tricky FA Cup ties
Nine-time FA Cup champions and current holders – Kumasi Asante Kotoko, have sworn to win this year’s competition to compensate their fans for their failure to win the Ghana Premier League (GPL) this season.
The Porcupine Warriors watched in pain as their bitter rivals, Accra Hearts of Oak, clinched the premiership title with a game to spare.
As the quarter final matches of the MTN FA Cupcompetition commence this weekend across all four match venues, expect Kotoko to produce a comprehensive result when they welcome the 2010 semi-finalist Berekum Chelsea to the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium on Sunday.
Billed to be a very ferocious contest, Kotoko will leave no stone overturned as the competition represents the only chance to win a trophy and also book a spot in the nextAfrican Confederations Cup.
Ten-time champions, Accra Hearts of Oak, will travel to face a dicey task with Elmina Sharks at the Nduom stadium today as the Phobians are eager to clinch a double.
Having escaped the drop by a hair’s breadth, the Sharks now look motivated to crush everything in sight – though Hearts can be a rugged undertaking.
Twice winners Medeama SC will tussle it out with tricky second-tier side Attram de Visser Soccer Academy at Akoon Park on Sunday.Having kicked out Okwahu United and Legon Cities on penalties, the Kasoa-basedside will be aiming to cause same havoc to Medeama.
AshantiGold SC will lock horns with lower-tier side Kintampo Top Talent at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium this afternoon as they battle for a spot in the semis.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
Officials from the Ghana mission in the United Arab Emirates have paid a morale-boosting visit to the camp of the Black Queens.
The delegation, made up of Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto, Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai and Head of Transport Anas Shaibu, visited the team to assure them of the government’s support and commitment to their safety and welfare.
During the visit, the officials interacted with the team and offered words of encouragement, urging the team to remain focused on the tournament despite concerns surrounding unrest in parts of the UAE.
Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto emphasised that the Ghanaian government, through its diplomatic mission, is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to ensuring the team’s safety throughout their stay.
“We want the team to stay calm and focus on the competition. The government and the embassy are doing everything possible to ensure your safety and well-being.” he said.
Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai also reiterated the mission’s readiness to provide any assistance required by the team during the tournament.
Leadership of the team expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as timely and motivating.
With the backing of Ghana’s diplomatic officials in the UAE, the Black Queens remain determined to represent the country proudly and deliver strong performances in the Pink Ladies Cup.
The Black Queens have arrived in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the upcoming Pink Ladies Cup in Dubai. The team touched down at the Dubai International Airport via Emirates Air on Wednesday morning and were warmly received by the competition’s organising officials.
The squad will be based at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, where they will begin their final preparations for the tournament. Organised as part of the international women’s football calendar, the Pink Ladies Cup is expected to feature four national sides using the competition to assess their squads and fine-tune strategies for upcoming tournaments.
Ghana will open their campaign today with a clash against Hong Kong, while Russia and Tanzania face off in the other opening match.
The Black Queens are then scheduled to return to action on March 3, when they take on Russia in a match expected to test them against a physically strong opponent.
The final round of games will be played on March 6, with Ghana closing their campaign against Tanzania at 9:00 pm.
With three matches in eight days, the tournament promises to be a crucial phase in Ghana’s preparation, as the Black Queens aim to return to continental action sharper, stronger, and more competitive.
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