Sports
AFCON Qualifiers: Otto Addo looks forward to a positive reaction from players against Niger
Head coach, Otto Addo, is looking forward to a positive reaction from his players in today’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger.
This comes after a tough 1-0 loss to Angola at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, which ended Ghana’s 24-year unbeaten home run.
Addo is confident that his players have put the defeat behind them and are eager to get back on track. He has also addressed the absence of Jerome Opoku and Joseph Painstil, and emphasized the importance of player mentality and being aware of the threat that Niger poses.
With a strong squad and a determined mindset, Ghana is ready to give it their all and get back in contention for a place in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Here is everything he had to say:
On Team News
We had some few issues and little injuries, but I think they are mostly OK. Except Jerome, I think he had serious back problems. I think his body could not adapt to the training ground in Kumasi. It was very difficult for him. He had problems in training and now it was so serious that he could not train. He had to go back now to get special treatment from his club. It’s a pity. He didn’t play but got injured.
He will be out for this game. Also, Joseph Painstil, there is some issue with his work permit for the US. For that, he has to go to the US Embassy. The procedure takes some days. We needed his passport when he wanted to come to Morocco. We couldn’t take him there. We were hoping he would finish everything fast at the US Embassy. But, like I said, I think it takes more than three, four, five days. He had to do it because otherwise he couldn’t return to his club in the US. So, both of them will not be available.
On absence of Jerome Opoku and Joseph Paisntil and its impact on the team
Yes, Joseph came on as a sub, Jerome didn’t play, but the dynamics in that game is totally different from what you hope to see tomorrow. Yes, at the end of the day, anything can happen. I think Joseph had a good game when he came on, created a lot of chances, had also some chances. At the end, with Jerome, he would have been an option. He’s tall, he has a very good foot, good technique, and you never know. If anything happens or what happens, he will be there. It depends on the dynamics of the game, but for me as a coach, I would always like to have any options.
I would like to have a left-footed centre defender, right-footed, and every position should be doubled up. This is, I think, the perfect scenario, but at the moment it’s not like that. This is how it is sometimes and we take it like that. We are happy to have other substitutions on the bench tomorrow, and whoever will play, the bench will be good.
On player mentality after Angola loss
Everybody was down, so I think the first part was surely mentally. I was down myself after the match, but the next day I had a lot of positive feedback from friends and family, also from some press people, and also the press conference after the game showed me that we didn’t play bad. It was a really, unlucky game, and this positive sign gave me confidence, and this is the confidence I was trying to give to the team in the last days, and I think it worked quite well. The guys looked good at the training, and surely there were some things defensive-wise but also offensive-wise which we had to work on. We tried to implement it in our training as far as we could. Surely not all of them could do everything because of the recovery after the game, but at the end of the day, now I think we are ready for tomorrow.
On the kind of response he expects from the players
This game, we are surely the favourites and I am very, very confident that we will win this game. But in football anything can happen. We saw it last time against Angola, the way the game looked. I never thought we would lose this game, but in football now there is no weak opponent. So we have to be focused, we have to be concentrated, we have to do our job. Then the probability that we win is very, very high.
On the quality of Niger
Absolutely, absolutely, we observed them, we watched a lot of games that they played and they look strong. They have good players on their team and they play together as a team. Like I said, they had some losses, but it was always very, very close and they also had their chances, so we have to be aware of that. They have good strikers, they defend very well, tactically they are well-educated, so it’s not going to be easy, but I’m sure that if we do our best, if we can create as many chances as we did in the last game against Angola, we will force the luck to come back to us.
On weight of expectations from Ghanaians
Yeah, I think they’re fully focused. They have experienced this in their life often, more often. It also happens at club level. When I was a player, we played with Dortmund against a fourth-division team and we lost in the cup game, so anything can happen. This is football, but I think that’s also the reason why they’re there where they are. You have to be fast in your head, you have to be confident, even though sometimes you make mistakes or things go wrong. But that’s why they’re professionals, they recover fast from these things. I think everybody’s waiting now for Monday or for tomorrow to come to show a good reaction and to show that we are still there, even though we lost against Angola.
On conceding late in the last two games
I think we have, let’s say, a bigger squad from 34 players which have a performance level which will always keep us at a certain level. We have to deal with injuries and everything. This shouldn’t be a problem. Surely it’s not easy, but it’s the same for the other teams, so I don’t want to actually go on that. I know it’s always difficult to win. I think the last game showed that there is no easy match. I think we learned, especially from the first two, that anything can happen and everything is possible if you believe and if you keep going. Also, the bench is so important. Players from the bench can decide a game. Surely, I think we talked a lot about Angola. We hopefully learned our lesson. Again, to take out the positive things, that we played really well. We created a lot of chances and it’s now time. We worked also on that, on finishes and how to be a little bit more clinical. It’s time to show it on the pitch now.
On turning the negatives into positives for the team
There was a lot of talking, surely, in the last days, and a lot of negativity, which is normal when you lose. It’s a big, big chance for us tomorrow to win this game and prove negative meanings about players or whatever, or the coach, or whatever. At the end of the day, I’m very, very sure that we will play well. We showed it the last time as well. Now we need the results. This is very important, this is crucial to qualify for the AFCON that we have to win. We’ll put everything in to do that. I’m very, very confident that we will win, but it’s not going to be easy, this is for sure. Like I said, the boys are ready and they’re hungry for tomorrow and they want to show everyone that they’re still there. Tomorrow’s a big chance for us to show it.
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Sports
Ghana Premier League Returns with Fresh Signings, New Coaches and High Expectations
The Ghana Premier League (GPL) is back for the 2025/26 season, promising one of the most competitive campaigns yet. Clubs across the country have strengthened their technical teams and recruited a blend of youth and experience as they aim to improve their squads and challenge for honours.
Our GPL Statistician, Shaban Mohammed provides a rundown of how clubs have shaped up in the preseason ahead of Friday’s kickoff.
Defending Champions Gold Stars Ready for Title Defence
Gold Stars, reigning league champions, have reinforced their squad in all departments. Backup goalkeeper Kwadwo Osei Bonsu joins to compete with Emmanuel Kobi, while the attack has been bolstered with Sampson Eduku, Prince Opoku Agyemang, Emmanuel Agyenim Boateng, and Burkinabé international Sanou Razack. Midfield stalwarts Francis Twene, Emmanuel Fosu Kyei, Emmanuel Kontor, Emmanuel Agyei, and Emmanuel Kojo Addy are expected to be pivotal. The champions head into the season on a high after lifting the Ghalca Top Four trophy.
Kotoko, Hearts and Lions Eye the Crown
Asante Kotoko also have their sights firmly set on the league title. Under coach Abdul Karim Zito, the Porcupine Warriors won the President’s Cup against Hearts of Oak, the Toyota Cup against Kaizer Chiefs, and the Champion of Champions match over Gold Stars. Key arrivals include goalkeeper Dari Aziz Haruna from Bechem United, Walid Fuseini, Sahyibu Abubakari, Musah Hamzata, Joseph Amoah, and Guinean striker Morifing Donzo.
Hearts of Oak are undergoing a resurgence under new head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani. After winning the Homowo and Democracy Cups and finishing joint-top of the GHALCA Top Four, the Phobians have strengthened their side with goalkeeper Solomon Agbasi, forward Prince Kwabena Owusu, Ali Mohammed, Paaku George, Rocky Dwamena, Abdul Karim, Frank Abora Duku, Baba Adamu, and Henry Kwaku Boateng.
Heart of Lions are also in the mix for the title after a strong pre-season. They have added Dennis Korsah, Chauncy Freeman, Michael Noumon, Yaw Polo, Emmanuel Anokye, and Faisal James to their squad.
Aduana FC, Karela United Lead Transfer Rush
Aduana FC were among the most active in the transfer window, signing experienced goalkeeper Obeng Sekyere Gregory from Berekum Chelsea, forward Mizack Afriyie, and striker Remember Adomako from Accra Lions. Former club captain Bright Adjei also returns, alongside Patrick Mensah, Riise Opoku Mensah, Dominic Frimpong, and Abdul Aziz Nurudeen.
Karela United, who have narrowly avoided relegation in the past two seasons, have rebuilt their squad with Evans Osei Wusu (a league winner with Samartex), Bless Ege (2024 MTN FA Cup finalist), goalkeepers Daniel Afadzwu and Kelvin Kofi Saaba, and foreign signings Oliver Adom from Ivory Coast and Cameroonian forward Franky Aoudou.
Key Signings Across the League
· Asante Kotoko: Lord Hilary Adaboi (Samartex), Dari Aziz Haruna (Bechem United), Walid Fuseini.
· Hearts of Oak: Solomon Agbasi (Free Agent), Abdul Karim (Nations FC), Prince Kwabena Owusu (Gold Stars).
· Medeama SC: Rich Sackey (Aduana FC), Fuzy Taylor (Accra Lions).
· Berekum Chelsea: Augustine Agyapong, Michael Awuah Mensah, Samuel Amofa.
· Vision FC: Dickson Afoakwa (Rainmasters), Kwame Aziz (Legon Cities).
· Nations FC: Faruk Mohammed (Hohoe United), Lawrence Ansah.
· Swedru All Blacks: John Andoh (Soccer Intellectuals), Junior Yeboah (Pac Academy), Benjamin York.
· Hohoe United: Michael Yeboah (Great Olympics), Alhassan Adamu (Karela), Maxwell Agyemang.
· Eleven Wonders: Daniel Lomotey (formerly WAFA, Medeama, Young Apostles).
Coaching Carousel: Continuity and Change
Only two of the 18 GPL clubs have appointed foreign coaches: Swedru All Blacks hired Egyptian Ahmed Fati, while Aduana FC retained Romanian Cioba Arista. Ten clubs maintained their coaches, including Abdul Karim Zito (Asante Kotoko), Frimpong Manso (Gold Stars), Nurudeen Amadu (Karela United), Nana Agyemang (Vision FC), Ibrahim Tanko (Medeama SC), Samuel Boadu (Berekum Chelsea), Christopher Ennin (Samartex), Bashir Hayford (Heart of Lions), and Kasim Mingle Ocansey (Nations FC).
Hearts of Oak, Eleven Wonders, Basake Holy Stars, Swedru All Blacks, Hohoe United, Dreams FC, Bechem United, and Young Apostles have all appointed new coaches as they seek to refresh their technical directions.
With major signings, tactical shake-ups, and heightened ambitions across the board, the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling campaigns in recent times’ memory.
Sports
Premier League: Accra Hearts of Oak eye fast start against debutants Hohoe United on Friday night
Accra Hearts of Oak will launch their 2025/26 Premier League campaign with a home tie against newly promoted Hohoe United at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, September 12, 2025.
The Phobians enter the season as strong contenders for the title, while their opponents will be making their long-awaited debut in the country’s top-flight competition.
The 2024/25 season offered renewed optimism for Hearts of Oak after they finished fourth in the 2024-25 campaign. The Phobians finished fourth with 16 wins, 10 draws and only 8 defeats, the joint-second lowest tally in the top-flight.
They also boasted one of the league’s best defensive records, conceding just 18 goals across 34 matches.
Yet, despite their progress, one statistic continues to haunt them: Hearts have failed to win any of their last four Premier League season openers (D1, L3). Head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani and his players will be eager to break that trend in front of their home fans.
The capital giant has also strengthened significantly in the transfer market. High-profile recruit Prince Kwabena Owusu, formerly of Gold Stars FC, headlines the list of arrivals, alongside other notable additions designed to add depth and quality across the pitch.
Pre-season performances have been encouraging, with Hearts securing three wins and a draw, including a strong showing in the GHALCA Top Four competition. These results suggest the Phobians are well-prepared to mount a serious title challenge this season.
Hohoe United – Newcomers with Big Dreams
For Hohoe United, the match represents a historic milestone, their first-ever fixture in the Premier League. The Zone Three champions secured promotion in emphatic fashion last season, amassing an impressive 72 points from 30 matches (W23, D3, L4). Their dominance saw them outpace promotion rivals Port City FC and Okwahu United to seal their place in the top tier.
One of United’s standout strengths last season was their away form. They collected 27 points on the road, the second-highest total in the Access Bank Division One League. Such resilience on their travels could prove crucial as they adapt to the tougher challenges of top-flight football.
Keenly aware of the demands ahead, Hohoe United have bolstered their squad with several experienced campaigners. Among them are Ebenezer Amega from Legon Cities, Kwaku Musah from FC Nania, Rainmasters’ Daniel Osei Senior and former Great Olympics forward Michael Yeboah.
These signings bring a blend of quality and know-how, and will be central to United’s efforts to avoid the drop in their debut campaign. United will be looking to defy the odds and claim a memorable result against one of Ghana’s most storied and decorated clubs in their maiden Premier League outing.
Head-to-Head
This fixture marks the first-ever competitive meeting between Hearts of Oak and Hohoe United in Premier League history, adding an extra layer of intrigue to Friday’s clash.
What to Expect
The Accra Sports Stadium is set for an electric atmosphere as Hearts of Oak seek to begin their season on the front foot, backed by their passionate fans. For Hohoe United, the occasion offers both a daunting challenge and an opportunity to announce themselves on the big stage.
With one side eager to launch a title push and the other hungry to prove they belong, this season opener promises to deliver drama, intensity, and perhaps even history.
