Sports
Medeama set to upset Hearts in dicey clash
With the curtain drawn on the 2020/2021 Ghana Premier League, the hunger and thirst will be fixed on the 2020/21 MTN FA Cup competition which is in the semi-final stages and will be played tomorrow at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
Berekum Chelsea will kick-start the campaign with an entertaining afternoon tie between former champions Ashantigold SC at 3pm, followed with a late kick-off between premier league champions Hearts of Oak and Medeama SC at 6pm at the same venue.
Having knocked out former champions Kotoko last weekend – winning 5-4 on penalties, 2010/11 semifinalists Berekum Chelsea will lock horns with 1992/1993 winners AshantiGold SC in a very cagey, uncompromising contest.
Chelsea placed 10th in the just-ended season and will be aiming to play continental football since they last campaigned in Africa in 2014.
Equally, Ashgold will be eager to continue with their impressive run as a win against Chelsea seals their place in the final. Indeed, the Miners would leave no stone unturned as the competition represents another chance to play in African again.
Ten-time holders, Hearts – who eliminated Elmina Sharks from the competition at the quarter-final stage, courtesy Caleb Amankwah’s late free-kick, will battle two-time winners Medeama SC, in a potential evening thriller at 6pm.
Hearts will be aiming to grab the double, having already clinched the league and would face a very experienced Medeama SC side – rich with qualities including Tetteh Zutah, Rashid Nortey, Kwasi Donsu and Ahmed Toure, among others.
For Medeama, putting to sword the double dreams of Hearts will be worth celebrating.
The Yellow and Mauves missed out on a possible Top-3 slot in the just-ended season and they will fancy their chances to win silverware and return to Africa – should they account for Hearts which guarantees a place in the final.
The winner from the first clash involving Ashgold and Chelsea will take on the victor from Hearts and Medeama in the final on Sunday, August 8, 2021 at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
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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