Sports
CAF Champions League prelims: Medeama plot Horoya AC downfall
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Jonathan-Sowah-Medeama-SC-1.jpg&description=CAF Champions League prelims: Medeama plot Horoya AC downfall', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Jonathan-Sowah-Medeama-SC-1.jpg&description=CAF Champions League prelims: Medeama plot Horoya AC downfall', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Jonathan Sowah -Medeama SC
Ghanaian champions, Medeama SC will attempt a historical appearance at the group stages of the ongoing CAF Champions League when they play as guests of Guinean giants, Horoya AC in the second-leg second-round playoff tie today at the General Lansana Conté Stadium in Conakry.
The Yellow and Mauves heads into the tie on the back of a 3-1 victory from the first leg in Cape Coast a fortnight
ago.
Should the Tarkwa-based club clear the Horoya hurdle, they will become the first Ghanaian team to make it to the group stage of the competition in over a decade since Berekum Chelsea last featured in 2012.
Playing in their maiden Champions League competition, coach Augustine Evans Adotey and his charges are determined to produce an outstanding performance to complement that of the first leg, which would see them through to the group stages.
Carrying a 3-1 advantage into the game, coach Adotey remains cautious about the task, as he notes that he would be approaching the game as if it were 0-0 from the first leg.
“We have gotten to a stage where complacency is nowhere near our books as we head into the game today. We are very focused on reaching the group stages, and until we achieve that, we are not taking our feet off the pedal,” he stated.
The reigning Ghana Premier League champions have had a challenging start to their domestic title defence, failing to secure a win in their opening two fixtures.
Drawing a 2-2 draw at home with Accra Lions and then a 2-0 defeat at the hands of former champions Aduana FC in Dormaa last Sunday have raised eyebrows about the team’s preparedness for the Horoya AC task but coach Adotey seems not to be perturbed by the results from the two league games, pinning them to the injuries facing the team.
However, coach Adotey is brimming with smiles ahead of the game today as ‘tormentor-in-chief’ and striker Jonathan Sowah has made a swift recovery from a minor injury and is available for the game today.
Midfielder Manuel Mantey and experienced defenders Fatawu Hamidu and Kwadwo Amoako have all passed a late fitness test and will be available for selection today after missing out on their last game against the Aduana Stars.
The task in Guinea is expected to be a daunting one for the Ghanaian champions following Horoya’s consistency at the group stage of the competition.
The Guineans eliminated Ivorian giants ASEC Mimosas at this stage last year to reach the group stage and are counting on their experience in the competition to get past Medeama today.
For many, Horoya remain favorites to win the game, but what remains to be seen is whether they can dump out Medeama or whether the latter will cause an upset in the competition by eliminating the Guinean giants.
Algerian referee Nabil Boukhalfa has been appointed to officiate the game with assistance from Brahim El Hamlaoui, Sid Ali, and Mohammed Serradj, with Loutfi Bekouassa as the fourth official.
By Raymond Ackumey
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 would go into the annals of Ghana football as one of the darkest days for the Black Stars.
In an AFCON 2027 qualifier against The Gambia, the Black Stars did not only break the hearts of the fans, but conceded a defeat that left followers with sleepless nights.
Coming from a Matchday 1 defeat to the Elephants of La Cote d’Ivoire in Bouake, the outcome of the second game against The Gambia was one that was non-negotiable.
It had the ability to spark a revival to contend for one of the slots for the next AFCON showpiece.
The Gambia is a formidable side but definitely, not one to have frustrated Ghanaians to watch in pain and awe the Black Stars lose a game from a winning position.
That is a possibility in the game of football but when the stakes are high in such cases, it becomes unacceptable to the fans.
And grievously has Carlos Queiroz answered the massive call for his resignation.
At his post-match press conference, he made it clear that bowing out was the easiest decision but insisted that would not solve the myriad problems facing the Black Stars.
For the coach to be fired two days after that declaration raises a lot of concerns as he seem to be aware of existing problems the FA may even not know.
Unfortunately, coaches over the years have always been sacrificial lambs in situations of this nature but when he talks about particular problems affecting the team, his sack leaves much to be desired.
That aside, it is important to also take another look at the country’s pool of players, both local and foreign based.
Some of us have been advocates for forming the Black Stars around the ever-present local players who may lack the skill, finesse and flamboyance believed to give the foreign based players the edge over their local counterparts.
The locals, however, compensate that with their commitment and dedication.
Sadly, it appears this consistent call have fallen on deaf ears and no one wants to give any attention to that.
If the fear is that results would be poor, then that would be no excuse again following outcomes of the Stars in their last two games.
From what was witnessed in Bouake and Accra, one can confidently boast that there isn’t much difference between the foreign based players and the locals.
If there is any, it would probably be the treatment given to the two sets of players.
The call on the FA now is to give major consideration to the local players. Any coach that sees no good in the local players must have no business handling the national team.
That does not also shut the door on the ‘foreigners’. We witnessed how the early 90s teams were beautifully blended to have a formidable team.
It is time the FA goes back to the basics. With the locals, there can be more camps, leading to improved cohesion. Any foreign based player invited must settle into the team quickly and make a difference. That is the only way to rescue the Black Stars from its free fall.
By Andrew Nortey
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Manchester City Football Club has lodged a comprehensive appeal against the opinion of the Premier League Commission in relation to its long-running disciplinary case.
In a statement on Thursday, October 1, 2026, the Club confirmed that the appeal was filed at 7pm.
“The Club’s firm position is that, on multiple grounds, the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe,” the statement said.
City maintained its innocence, stressing that a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all its positions relating to the case.
“We will continue to respect due process and are necessarily restricted in what we can say further until all proceedings are complete,” the Club added.
The appeal sets the stage for the next phase of the legal battle between the Premier League champions and the league over alleged breaches of financial rules, which the club has consistently denied.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
