Sports
CAF Confederation Cup: Dreams face FC Kallon test on neutral grounds
- /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/John-Antwi-Dreams-FC-1.jpg&description= CAF Confederation Cup: Dreams face FC Kallon test on neutral grounds', '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/John-Antwi-Dreams-FC-1.jpg&description= CAF Confederation Cup: Dreams face FC Kallon test on neutral grounds', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
John Antwi-Dreams FC
CAF Confederation Cup campaigners Dreams FC will take a 2-1 advantage into the reverse fixture of the second leg of the second preliminary round encounter against Sierra Leonean side FC Kallon at the Samuel Kayon Doe Sports Complex in Liberia today at 4pm.
CAF rejected the Southern Arena in Bo City, Sierra Leone, pointing out that the venue does not conform to the current stringent standards required for hosting a high-profile match.
Dreams FC are 90 minutes away from a historic appearance at the group stages of the competition for the very first time in the club’s history, and head coach Abdul Karim Zito is optimistic about his side’s chances.
“This is the first time the club is playing in Africa, and to get this far is a huge success for us; however, with the opportunity steering us to go further, we would stop at nothing to achieve just that,” he stated.
In a media engagement ahead of the departure for today’s game, coach Zito stated that right from the start of the competition, he declared that the group stage appearance was his target, and “That is what he will ensure today.”
“Yes, we are heading into today’s fixture with a slim margin; we are going to protect your lead for 90 minutes; if we do not score, they will not score,” Mr Zito, said.
Not taking anything away from his opponents, coach he said that FC Kallon was a well-drilled side who could cause havoc on a good day if given the opportunity, and therefore they were heading into today’s game with cautious optimism.
“They showed glimpses of what we should expect in today’s game when we played in the first leg, and we have armed ourselves well enough for any shocks,” Mr Zito, stated.
The former Sierra Leonean national team captain and striker, Mohamed Kallon, who heads the technical team of FC Kallon, has assured his fans back home of getting past Dream FC today.
He told the media back in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, that the change of venue from the Southern Arena in Bo City, Sierra Leone, to Liberia had not dumped the spirit of his boys but had rather brought up some hunger in the team to qualify.
“The boys are hungry to get to the group stage, and this is a very good opportunity to achieve that, and not even the change in venue can stop us,” Kallon said.
Togolese referee Aklesso Gnama will officiate the game, with compatriots Komlan Domenyo Adiwotso and Abdou Kpelafia serving as his assistants.
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
