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Back-to-base Kotoko aim to silence Bechem
After one year and eight months, Asante Kotoko will now have a new feel of the renovated Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi when they slug it out against leaders Bechem United in the week-two fixture of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) on Sunday.
Kotoko will be eager to pick a second straight victory against a well-organised Bechem United who kicked off their campaign in grand style with an emphatic 4-0 win over Medeama SC last Saturday.
With both sides yet to taste defeat, much will be centred around the cracker as the headliner.
The Porcupine Warriors produced a sweet 3-1 come-back against Dreams FC last Saturday after which gaffer Dr Proaper Narteh Ogum has been praised by many for his tactical brilliance – effecting two mind-blowing changes which resulted in all three goals in the dying stages of the afternoon.
With the return of former GPL top scorer Augustine Okrah, Emmanuel Avornyo who bagged brace on his debut, Francis Twene and Kofi Agbesimah, can the Hunters surprise the Porcupine Warriors in Kumasi?
At the Len Clay Stadium today, Ashantigold will play host to Karela United – a game Karela will give their all for a win after a hard-fought stalemate at home against Aduana Stars.
Returnees Real Tamale United (RTU), who drew at home in their first game with Great Olympics, lock horns with a rejuvenated Legon Cities side today.
At the Accra Sports Stadium, it will be an Accra derby when new entrants Accra Lions lock horns with Great Olympics in a fearsome contest.
Wounded Medeama SC will come guns blazing against debutants Bibiani Gold Stars at the Tarkwa TNA Park on Sunday – as the former aim to bounce back from their humiliation last weekend.
Aduana Stars will be at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park tomorrow when they host tricky King Faisal.
On Sunday, Elmina Sharks will tussle it out with poor Dreams FC at the Ndoum Park in Elmina. The Sharks will be poised to give the visitors a run for their money.
At the Golden City Park, Berekum Chelsea will face off with Eleven Wonders tomorrow. Both will be itching for a win after defeats on their first game played last weekend.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
