Sports
Battle for title, relegation takes centre stage
• Sampson Eduku – Tamale City
six more games left to climax the 2022/23 betPawa Premier League, this weekend promises another round of mouth-watering clashes as chase for the title remains competitively open.
Though leaders Aduana Stars occupy the apex with
50 points, it is not done and dusted for them yet as they are closely followed (as of Wednesday night) by Medeama SC (47), Bechem United (45) and Berekum Chelsea (43) heading into the weekend’s cagey games.
Badly bruised Hearts of Oak will host King Faisal on match-day 29 at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday after their 4-1 loss to Tamale City, while reigning champions Asante Kotoko welcome in-form Tamale City to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
The Phobians have been shot twice in their last two meetings, a 1-0 defeat to Bechem United before their recent 4-1 mauling by City in mid-week.
Though Hearts occupy the fifth spot on the league with 42 points, a win over the ‘Insha’ Allah boys will close the gap on Aduana with 50 points.
Also, the Phobians were held to a pulsating 0-0 stalemate with the Kumasi-based side in the first round, eager to return to winning ways.
With two wins and a draw in their last three encounters, Tamale City will be aiming to continue their fine form when they come up against Kotoko.
Both sides shared the spoils from a 1-1 draw in the first round when Isaah Nyaabila poked in an own goal before Ibrahim Babamu scored to level matters.
Having lost 2-1 to Aduana Stars prior to this game, the Porcupine Warriors will leave no stone unturned as they are charged to give the visitors a good run for their money.
At the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park tomorrow, Bechem United will lock horns with Samartex in a cracking encounter, while struggling Accra Great Olympics will make a trip to the Dun’s Park against Gold Stars same day.
In Dawu, Dreams FC will play as hosts of Legon Cities, while relegation-threatened Karela United square off with Berekum Chelsea at the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park.
Relegated Kotoku Royals will battle it out with Aduana Stars, while the Nana Kronmansah Park in Nsoatre will host Nsoatreman and Medeama SC.
As many as six clubs including RTU (36), King Faisal (36), Tamale City (35), Dreams FC (34), Nsoatreman (34), Olympics (32) and Karela United (32) find themselves in danger zone; reason this weekend’s ties would be brutally contested.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
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.
