Sports
A Dream test for Kotoko
The long-awaited Ghana Premier League (GPL) 2021/2022 returned yesterday after 140 days of respite and saw debutants Accra Lions take on Elmina Sharks in a very cagey contest at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The action continues this weekend across all game centres with the top-liner being an evening fixture tonight between Dreams FC and Asante Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Under new gaffer Dr Prosper Narteh Ogum, the Porcupine Warriors will be eager to thrill their expectant fans to some spectacular football, following their massive buys as they start their campaign in a cagey game tonight.
New signings including Stephen Amankona, Joseph Amoako and Cameroonian forward Mbella Franch Thierry are expected to give the Fabulous a flamboyant debut.
On Sunday, defending champions Hearts of Oak will look to put their CAF Champions League disappointment behind them as they open their title defence against Legon Cities FC at the Accra Sports Stadium – a venue the Phobians have not tasted defeat since the appointment of Samuel Boadu.
But the question still remains; can the Royals halt the Rainbow boys?
At the renovated Dun’s Park in Bibiani tomorrow, new entrants Gold Stars will have their share of the cake when they slug it out with Berekum Chelsea. The Golden Boys will be aiming to cement their stay in the top-flight as they have kept hold of stars including Prince Owusu Kwabena, Ernest Kusi who played an integral role in their truimph as Division One League Champions in Zone 2.
But can Chelsea do without the services of star man Stephen Amankona, who is now a Porcupine?
At the Ohene Ameyaw Park, Eleven Wonders, handled by ex-Ghana International Yaw Acheampong, will hope to start their season on a flyer when they play Ashanti Gold in Techiman.
Elsewhere, West Africa Football Academy (WAFA) will hope to go a step higher on the table this season (finished third last season with 56 points) as they travel to Kumasi to play King Faisal at the renovated Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Real Tamale United (RTU) will try to put on a fine display on their return to the elite division when they battle it out with Great Olympics at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale.
Bechem United and Medeama SC will look to claim the maximum points at stake when they square off at the Nana Fosu Gyeambour Park in Bechem.
Tomorrow at the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park at Aiyinase, impressive Karela United FC will go neck-to-neck with Aduana Stars at the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park at Aiyinase to climax the first round of games.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
After 16 years of not hosting this fixture, the Swedru Stadium will come alive today as Swedru All Blacks welcome Hearts of Oak in a Ghana Premier League (GPL) Match Day 10 clash.
Both sides enter the game on the back of 1-0 defeats in their previous outings, setting the stage for an intense encounter as they aim to bounce back.
While Hearts fans are backing their coach, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, to secure his fourth away win of the season, the Swedru faithful, known as the “Ozii Ozaa,” have issued a stern warning to their head coach, Egyptian tactician Ahmed Ibrahim Fathi: “Win the game or risk losing your job.”
On paper, it is a challenging task given the visitors’ recent form. Nonetheless, Coach Fathi remains confident that the three points will stay in Swedru, having prepared his side to meet supporters’ expectations.
Meanwhile, tomorrow at the Baba Yara Stadium, Asante Kotoko will rekindle their rivalry with league leaders Aduana FC in a GPL blockbuster. The Fabulous Lads, the only unbeaten team in the league, aim to maintain their perfect record, while Aduana FC coach Cioaba Aristica believes his side can stretch their lead at the top of the table.
Other fixtures this weekend include:
- Medeama SC vs. Eleven Wonders – University of Ghana Sports Stadium, Legon
- Bechem United vs. Samartex FC – Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park, Bechem
- Berekum Chelsea vs. Nations FC – Golden City Park
- Basake Holy Stars vs. Vision FC – Ampain AAK II Sports Arena
- Heart of Lions FC vs. Young Apostles FC – Kpando Stadium
- Bibiani Gold Stars vs. Karela United – Bibiani Dun’s Park
Fans can expect exciting football and crucial points on the line as teams fight for league supremacy and to turn around recent fortunes.
By Raymond Ackumey
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Call it a night of celebration, where sports and music converge on one stage. The 50th edition of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Awards will take place tonight at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), promising an evening of glamour, recognition, and entertainment.
The Golden Jubilee edition commemorates 50 years of excellence since the awards’ inception in 1975, honoring Ghana’s best sporting heroes and heroines. The event will not only celebrate the present generation of athletes but also veterans who excelled over the past five decades.
High-profile guests include President John Dramani Mahama, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, and AIPS President Gianni Merlo.
SWAG has prepared an impressive entertainment lineup, headlined by Afropop star Stonebwoy, with appearances expected from Fameye.
Golden Jubilee Ambassadors
Personalities to be decorated as 50th Anniversary Ambassadors include:
- Margaret Simpson – Athletics
- Azumah Nelson – Boxing
- Abedi Ayew Pele – Football
- Michael Essien – Football
- Kwadwo Asamoah – Football
- Stephen Appiah – Football
- Samuel Osei Kuffour – Football
- Adwoa Bayor – Football
- Alberta Sackey – Football
Awards Highlights for 2024
Coach of the Year: Frimpong Manso (Gold Stars) vs. James Kwesi Appiah (Sudan)
Referee/Umpire of the Year: Daniel Laryea (Football), Francis Yeboah (Badminton), Clement Smith (Athletics)
National Team of the Year:
- Black Queens
- National Badminton Doubles Team
- Golden Arms (Armwrestling)
- Black Cranes (Weightlifting)
Club of the Year: Police Ladies, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Faith Ladies, Bibiani Gold Stars
Top 5 Federations: Ghana Athletics, Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), Ghana Badminton, Ghana Weightlifting Federation (GWF), Ghana Cricket Association (GCA), Ghana Rugby Football Union (GRFU)
Other Awards:
- Athlete of the Year: Abdul Rasheed Saminu
- Boxer of the Year: Gideon Pappoe, George Dowuona, Mathias Ashittey
- Weightlifter of the Year: Emmanuel Amo Boateng
- Footballer of the Year – Male (Foreign Based): Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo, Kudus Mohammed
- Footballer of the Year – Female (Foreign Based): Grace Asantewaa, Chantelle Boye Hlorkah
- Footballer of the Year – Male (Home Based): Stephen Amankona, Benjamin Asare, Razak Simpson
- Footballer of the Year – Female (Local Based): Comfort Yeboah
- Student Athlete of the Year: Phillip Tetteh Odjer (Male, Athletics), Moslina Adu (Female, Badminton)
- Discovery of the Year: Yayra Akos Agozi (Female, Weightlifting), Michael Agyapong Mensah (Male, Table Tennis)
- Swimmer of the Year: Josel Mensah
- Badminton Player of the Year: Obaponba Adu Minta
- Puller of the Year: Mabel Yeboah
- Para-Athlete of the Year: Zainabu Issah
- Meritorious Awards: Moses Adu (Badminton), Husseini Akueteh Addy (Armwrestling)
- Dedication and Valour: Portia Boakye (Football), Yaw Agyeman (Athletics)
- SWAG Lifetime Achievement Award: Brestford Amui (Horse Racing/Administrator), Asamoah Gyan (Football), Andre Dede Ayew (Football), Anthony Yeboah (Football)
- Sports Administrator of the Year: Evans Kojo Yeboah (Badminton)
- Table Tennis Player of the Year: Emmanuel Commey / James Marfo
- SWAG President’s Award: Henry Arko
This year’s awards promise glitter, excitement, and recognition of Ghana’s finest in sports, both past and present, making it a night to remember.
By Andrew Nortey
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
