Sports
Aduana Stars, Hearts to thrill fans at Dormaa
• Steven Mukwala – Kotoko
There would be fireworks at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park tomorrow when league leaders, Aduana Stars FC hosts Accra Hearts of Oak in a top betPawa Ghana Premier League week 13 encounter.
Hearts dropped points in Accra in the previous encounter after drawing 1-1 with Berekum Chelsea.
That, obviously did not go down well with their followers and would hope they make amends this weekend.
But how Aduana Stars also lost at home to a struggling Accra Lions side at Dormaa still remains a mystery for their followers.
It is the reason both sides would fight tooth-and-nail to snatch all three points to make their supporters happy.
A defeat to Accra Lions can also not be used as a yardstick to rule the home side out of honours in the clash considering their pedigree at home.
That setback can be just a blip which they can overcome to humiliate the Hearts of Oak side that also appear to be struggling although it looks like a game to end in a stalemate.
Asante Kotoko seem motivated and coming back to their best after a string of victories in the competition.
But that would be tested by Berekum Chelsea when they cross swords in an encounter expected to be explosive.
Kotoko humiliated their new city rivals, Nations FC 3-0 in the MTN FA Cup competition on Tuesday to prove their new found form was no fluke.
But against Chelsea, they would face a sterner test in their quest to challenge the trophy this season.
Accra Great Olympics and Legon Cities will be engaged in the Accra derby at the WAFA Park at Sogakope today.
In other matches, Bofoakwa Tano and FC Samartex would lock horns, while Bibiani Gold Stars hosts Nsoatreman FC at Bibiani tomorrow.
Accra Lions, will face Nations FC while Karela United entertains Bechem United in another dicey encounter.
By Andrew Nortey
Sports
Black Starlets arrives in Morocco on U-17 AFCON mission …FA boss charges team to make Ghana proud
The Black Starlets, the national U-17 male team, have safely arrived in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team departed Accra on Wednesday, travelling with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.
They completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.
The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, was present at the Accra International Airport to bid farewell to the team.
Speaking during a brief farewell at the Airport, the FA President urged the team to carry a ‘never say die’ spirit into the competition.
President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity, particularly in difficult moments during matches. His message was inspired by the team’s recent friendly encounters against Cote d’Ivoire, where they bounced back strongly after an initial defeat.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Cote d’Ivoire in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to bounce back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” he said. “I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added.
The FA president stressed that the ability to respond positively to setbacks would be crucial in a tournament as competitive as the AFCON.
He encouraged the players to stay united and support one another when the pressure intensifies on the continental stage.
“When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together,” Okraku added. “So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, with their opening match scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-three (23) players have been called up for this month’s international friendly against Mexico.
The squad is composed of star players from the domestic league and European leagues who are closely monitored by Coach Carlos Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers.
Notable names include Majeed Ashimeru, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson, and Birmingham City’s Ibrahim Osman.
Ashimeru returns to action after a long spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury that limited his appearances at both club and national level.
Also in the team is Felix Afena-Gyan, whose last appearance for Ghana was in May last year when he featured against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Étienne, Ibrahim Osman of Birmingham City, and Paul Reverson of Ajax FC have also been included in the squad.
Midfielder Salim Adams, one of the key players for Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC, leads the group of home-based players.
Others are Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, Ebenezer Adade of Dreams FC, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson. Ghana will travel to Mexico for the international friendly on Friday, May 22, 2026.
