Sports
Big advantage for Hearts…to play CL Kamsar in Accra
Ghana champions Hearts of Oak were putting their act together for a trip to Conakry for the first leg preliminary game against Guinean side CL Kamsar on Sunday, September 12.
However, from nowhere, the French-speaking West African country slipped into chaos as Guinean special forces seized power in a coup d’état led by Lieutenant-Colonel Mamady Doumbouya.
With barely a week to the first leg game, many wondered whether a new venue in a neighbouring country was going to be the Guineans’ new host. But the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had other plans.
On Wednesday, a decision was announced. It was not good news for the Guineans as they are would not have the luxury of playing a home game.
According to CAF, Hearts will now host CL Kamsar in a one-off game on September 19, 2021 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The winner of the tie is set to advance to the next stage of the 2021/22 Total Energies CAF Champions League.
In a statement from the Ghana FA delivered by CAF, the Organising Committee of the Competition has decided that the match, which was scheduled to be played in Guinea this weekend, will not take place in view of the political unrest in the country.
In a letter sent to the General Secretary of the GFA, Prosper Harrison Addo, on the situation, CAF quoted the provisions of Articles 1 & 2.1 of Chapter XIII of the Regulations governing the competition which stipulates that the following shall applied:
“1. In case of troubles, wars, forces majeure or internal situations in a country that may affect the security conditions during planning of a match, the Organizing Committee may take the following measures: 2. In two leg matches (home and away):
2.1 If the case concerns only one country, the federation will play its home match on a ground in another country, or a single game will be played on the opponent’s field. Where appropriate, the Organizing Committee will determine the match venue.” The winner of this single match will qualify to the 2nd preliminary round of the competition. In case of a draw at the end of the regulatory time, the winner shall be determined by penalty kicks in accordance to the Laws of the Game.”
Kick-off time for the match is 4pm.
The news must have been a welcome one for the Phobians who would enjoy the support of the home crowd to sail through.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
The Black Starlets will intensify preparations for the upcoming 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations with a double-header of friendly matches against FC Samartex 1996 at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, Samraboi.
The national U-17 side will first take on the youth team of Samartex on Saturday at4pm, as the technical team continues to assess player combinations and sharpen match readiness ahead of the continental tournament.
The following day, Sunday, March 15, the Starlets will return to the same venue to face the senior side of Samartex in another crucial preparatory fixture, also scheduled for 4pm.
These matches form part of a series of build-up games designed to test the squad’s depth, tactical discipline and competitive edge as they prepare for the AFCON challenge.
The Starlets have already played several friendly matches during their training programme, including encounters against True Democracy FC, Port City FC, Attram De Visser Academy, Semper Fi FC and Golden Kick FC.
The upcoming double-header is expected to provide another valuable opportunity for the technical team to fine-tune strategies and evaluate players as Ghana’s young talents continue their preparations for the 2026 U-17 AFCON.
The Football Association, in partnership with the Ghana Education Service in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern Region, is supporting the Ayensuano District Basic Schools Sports Festival, a three-day sporting event aimed at nurturing young talent and empowering students through sports and education.
The festival, scheduled to take place from March 9 to March 13, 2026, at Kofipare, will be held under the theme “Strengthening the Reset: Unleashing the Champion in You.”
The event is being organized in honour of Rev. Alexander Narh Amanya, the District Director of Education for Ayensuano, in recognition of his contribution to educational and youth development in the district.
The Women’s Football Development Unit of the GFA’s Technical Directorate views the festival as a significant platform to implement the Education Pillar of the GFA Women’s Football Strategy, which seeks to promote awareness, participation, and development opportunities for girls in football.
As part of the initiative, the GFA will engage female students through educational and empowerment sessions designed to introduce them to pathways in women’s football and encourage greater participation in the sport.
The Football Association will be represented by key officials who will provide mentorship and educational guidance to the participants.
Jennifer Amankwaa Sarpong, GFA Women’s Football Development Manager, will educate the girls on the Women’s Football Development Pathways, highlighting opportunities within the sport and potential career prospects.
Bernice Bempah, GFA Women’s Safeguarding Officer, will lead discussions on the GFA Safeguarding Code of Ethics, focusing on creating safe sporting environments and educating the girls on recognizing inappropriate behaviour, setting boundaries and confidently reporting concerns.
Patience Boadu, a public health practitioner and nurse, will facilitate sessions on girls’ health and football, covering important topics such as healthy lifestyles, hydration, menstruation, and personal hygiene.
The Ayensuano District Basic Schools Sports Festival is expected to combine sport, education and mentorship, creating an enabling environment for young girls to discover their potential both on and off the field while aligning with the broader vision of the Ghana FA to grow women’s football across the country.
