Sports
Berekum Chelsea, Hearts of Oak set for a crucial clash today
Wednesday’s Ghana Premier League offering sees Berekum Chelsea host giants Hearts of Oak in a match of epic proportions to wrap up matchday-29 of the Ghana Premier League.
While Samuel Boadu witnessed his crop fight back brilliantly against Legon Cities despite losing, the Phobians were made to pay for a shoddy first half in an excruciating 1-0 derby defeat to Accra Lions on Wednesday.
The writing appeared to be on the wall for Hearts of Oak when the half-time whistle blew at the Accra Sports Stadium, as Ibrahim Issah’s exquisite second-half strike propelled Lions to victory, thanks in no small part to familiar Hearts’ wastefulness in the final third.
Hearts of Oak coach Abubakar Ouattara will feel gutted and pressured as his side’s winless run stretches to two matches having lost 2-0 at Legon Cities last week.
While profligacy has reared its ugly head more often than not for Hearts this season, prolific performances have not been easy to come by in the capital after recording just one and suffered four defeats in their last five matches.
Berekum Chelsea’s penchant for goal-laden games at home and Hearts of Oak’s engrossing defeat against Accra Lions certainly gives rise to an all-action affair on Wednesday at the Golden City park.
Also licking the wounds from their nerve-racking and bewitching 3-2 defeat at Legon Cities last weekend, Chelsea will be aiming to return to winning ways when they entertain the capital giants.
Samuel Boadu’s men recorded a 2-0 win over Medeama in their last home match and will hope to consolidate their position on the league table.
Chelsea have accumulated 41 points from 28 matches and sit 6th on the table, having won 2, drawn 1 and lost 1 in their last 5 outings.
Chelsea have recorded 30 points at home, scoring 17 and conceding 5. They are ranked as the 6th best home side in this campaign.
Coach Samuel Boadu’s side are unbeaten in their last 5 home games and are the second club with the least number of goals conceded at home (5).
Hearts of Oak have recorded just 1 win in their last 5 games with 4 defeats. They are 12th on the table with 35 points. The Phobians have managed to accumulate 12 points away from home, scoring 10 and conceding 16. They are ranked as the 6th best away side in the league. Hearts of Oak are winless in their last 3 consecutive away games.
Berekum Chelsea have played Hearts of Oak three times at home in the league since 2020/21 season and all ended in a goalless draw.
The Phobians are yet to find the back of the net at the Golden City Park in Berekum since 2020/21.
Premier league top scorer Stephen Amankonah will be available for the game on Wednesday with the hope of extending his 12-goal tally.
Chelsea can rely on other key players like Afriyie Mezack, Patrick Ansu, Awuah Dramani, Ahmed Adams, Patrick Asiedu, Yaw Dankwah, Zakaria Fuseini, Hubert Gyan, Vincent Adjei, Collins Ameyaw, Shaibu Haruna and Emmanuel Sarpong.
Youngster Hamza Issah, the second top scorer in the league is expected to start the game for the Phobians on Wednesday.
Other players include, Kofi Agbesimah, David Oppong Afrane, Kasim Cisse, Ibrahim Salifu, Glid Otanga, Linda Mtange, Salim Adams, Denis Korsah, Yaw Amankwah Baah, Micheal Ampadu, Thomas Winimi and Enock Asubonteng all available for selection.
The Black Queens will on Wednesday, April 29, learn their opponents for the African qualifying phase of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games Women’s Football Tournament.
The draw, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), will take place at CAF headquarters in Cairo and will be streamed live on CAF TV from 15:00 local time (12:00 GMT).
Ghana is among 35 national teams participating in the qualification campaign, which will determine the two African representatives for the women’s football tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, scheduled for July 11 to 29, 2028.
The qualification series will be played over five rounds, with each nation aiming to secure one of the two available slots for Africa at the global event in Los Angeles.
Having recently climbed to 59th in the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings and currently ranked third in Africa, the draw marks the beginning of another major international mission, the quest to seek a return to Olympic football.
GFA COMMUNICATIONS
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially awarded the nation the rights to host the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.
CAF covered the decision in a letter addressed to the General Secretary, Lawyer Prosper Harrison Addo, Esq.
The decision underscores CAF’s strong confidence in the Ghana Football Association’s ability to organize and deliver a tournament that meets the highest standards of youth football on the continent.
Ghana last hosted the competition in 1999 – when the Black Satellites lifted the trophy on home soil amid scenes of national celebration.
Coincidentally, 2027 will mark the 70th Independence anniversary and the competition could be a great part of the celebrations.
CAF says it will work closely with the Football Association and a soon-to-be-established Local Organising Committee (LOC) to ensure the successful planning and execution of the tournament.
This collaboration is expected to focus on infrastructure readiness, logistics, security, and overall fan experience, all aimed at delivering a world-class event worthy of Africa’s growing football stature.
Beyond the excitement of hosting, the tournament represents a broader endorsement of Ghana’s reputation as one of Africa’s premier football hubs.
Over the years, the country has consistently demonstrated its capability to stage high-profile competitions, backed by passionate supporters, improving facilities and a rich football culture.
The CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations holds particular importance in the global football ecosystem. Widely regarded as a breeding ground for future stars, the competition has historically served as a launching pad for some of Africa’s most celebrated players. Many participants have gone on to achieve remarkable success at top European clubs and on the international stage, making the tournament a key showcase of emerging talent.
With history, passion and proven capability on its side, Ghana now stands poised to deliver a memorable and impactful U-20 AFCON tournament, one that could shape the future of African football once again.
