Sports
Hearts poised for season’s double
The 2020/2021 Ghana Premier League (GPL) winners Accra Hearts of Oak will be chasing a double when they clash with AshantiGold in the grand finale of this season’s MTN FA Cup tomorrow at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Phobians would be beaming with confidence as their home venue hosts the final with fans expected to troop to the stadium to cheer the club to another victory.
Hearts also go into the game with the record of the most successful club in the history of the FA Cup with 10 titles as against AshantiGold who only won the competition in 1993.
The Phobians have enjoyed an incredible season and arguably the best team in the country at the moment – are favourites for the FA Cup trophy.
Their resilience showed in the thumping of Medeama in the semi final and are expected to display their outstanding rhythm against their Sunday opponents.
Though AshantiGold also displayed their scoring prowess in their 4-1 extra time victory in the semi finals against Berekum Chelsea, Hearts appear to be the more organised side going into the encounter.
The likes of Daniel Afriyie Barnie, Raddy Ovouka, Benjamin Afutu, Salifu Ibrahim and Emmanuel Nettey would be the key players to ‘do the damage’ for Hearts. Coach Samuel Boadu and his technical team would also be in battle at the touchline, guiding the team to another victory.
AshantiGold, however, will be a hard nut to crack as they would be chasing the trophy for nearly two decades.
The Obuasi side are also chasing CAF Confederations Cup next season and the FA Cup will would be a huge case for the club.
The likes of Eric Esso, David Abagna and Seth Osei would be making things tick for AshantiGold with their usual threat to the backline of their opponents.
Fans from Obuasi would also travel to the capital to witness the finals and support their team to victory.
It promises to be an exciting game as both teams appear to be in good shape and would give fans a lot to cheer about in their quest to win the prestigious MTN FA Cup trophy.
BY MICHAEL D. ABAYATEYE
The Black Queens will on Wednesday, April 29, learn their opponents for the African qualifying phase of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games Women’s Football Tournament.
The draw, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), will take place at CAF headquarters in Cairo and will be streamed live on CAF TV from 15:00 local time (12:00 GMT).
Ghana is among 35 national teams participating in the qualification campaign, which will determine the two African representatives for the women’s football tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, scheduled for July 11 to 29, 2028.
The qualification series will be played over five rounds, with each nation aiming to secure one of the two available slots for Africa at the global event in Los Angeles.
Having recently climbed to 59th in the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings and currently ranked third in Africa, the draw marks the beginning of another major international mission, the quest to seek a return to Olympic football.
GFA COMMUNICATIONS
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially awarded the nation the rights to host the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.
CAF covered the decision in a letter addressed to the General Secretary, Lawyer Prosper Harrison Addo, Esq.
The decision underscores CAF’s strong confidence in the Ghana Football Association’s ability to organize and deliver a tournament that meets the highest standards of youth football on the continent.
Ghana last hosted the competition in 1999 – when the Black Satellites lifted the trophy on home soil amid scenes of national celebration.
Coincidentally, 2027 will mark the 70th Independence anniversary and the competition could be a great part of the celebrations.
CAF says it will work closely with the Football Association and a soon-to-be-established Local Organising Committee (LOC) to ensure the successful planning and execution of the tournament.
This collaboration is expected to focus on infrastructure readiness, logistics, security, and overall fan experience, all aimed at delivering a world-class event worthy of Africa’s growing football stature.
Beyond the excitement of hosting, the tournament represents a broader endorsement of Ghana’s reputation as one of Africa’s premier football hubs.
Over the years, the country has consistently demonstrated its capability to stage high-profile competitions, backed by passionate supporters, improving facilities and a rich football culture.
The CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations holds particular importance in the global football ecosystem. Widely regarded as a breeding ground for future stars, the competition has historically served as a launching pad for some of Africa’s most celebrated players. Many participants have gone on to achieve remarkable success at top European clubs and on the international stage, making the tournament a key showcase of emerging talent.
With history, passion and proven capability on its side, Ghana now stands poised to deliver a memorable and impactful U-20 AFCON tournament, one that could shape the future of African football once again.
