Sports
Caleb Amankwa gives Hearts of Oak slim win over Kotoku Royals
Accra Hearts of Oak laboured to a slim win over bottom club Kotoku Royals on Matchday 22 of the betPawa Premier League at Accra Sports Stadium Sunday.
The former champions were hoping to continue their unbeaten run against Kotoku Royals but did not come cheap as the visitors frustrated the Phobians for majority part of the game.
Kotoku Royals were more compact at the back as they kept a very level of discipline to frustrate Hearts of Oak.
With the first half, ending goalless, the second half saw a renewed sense of urgency from Hearts of Oak , as they pushed forward in search of the opening goal. However, Kotoku Royals defended resolutely, with goalkeeper Frank Boateng making a number of brilliant saves to keep his side in the game.
Caleb Amankwah broke the hearts of Kotoku Royals with a late strike to give Accra Hearts of Oak a 1-0 win as he popped up with the decisive goal to send the home fans into a frenzy.
The win takes their unbeaten run to following – the 1-0 win against Asante Kotoko and the draw against Bibiani Gold Stars on Matchday 21. Accra Hearts of Oak are now fourth in the table with 35 points – 4 points behind leaders Aduana FC who play Legon Cities on Monday.
Bechem United returned to winning ways as they recorded a 3-1 victory over Karela United at Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park.
Hafiz Konkoni put The Hunters in front in the 20th minute. Isaiah Nyarko doubled their advantage on 42 minutes before Abdul Karim made it 3-0 for the hosts on the half time break.
Karela were awarded a penalty in the 58th minute but Samuel Atta Kumi scored to give his side a consolation as Bechem United held on to win 3-1.
Bechem United thus climbs to 3rd place in the League standings, 3 points behind leaders Aduana FC who play Legon Cities on Monday. Karela United are in 14th position, 2 points adrift of the relegation zone.
In Tarkwa – Medeama SC scored in either half to beat Accra Great Olympics 2-0 at Akoon Park. Joshua Agyemang netted first on the stroke of half time before Jonathan Sowah added the second goal inside 66 minutes.
New boys Nsoatreman FC smashed Accra Lions 3-0 at Nana Konamansah Park. Kwame Nana first hit the back of the 31st minute – his third straight home goal for Nsoatreman in the ongoing season. Mark Agyekum added to the tally to make it 2-0 in an eventful first half before Ushau Abu put the icing on the cake with a 56th minute strike.
Meanwhile Berekum Chelsea fought for a point against Real Tamale United at the Aliu Mahama stadium in Tamale.
GFA Communications
Midfielder Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto after Canadian authorities refused him entry.
A FIFA statement to The Athletic confirmed the Arsenal star cannot travel from Ghana’s base camp in Boston, USA, for Wednesday’s, June 17, opener against Panama.
“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government,” the statement read.
FIFA stressed it has no role in immigration decisions: “FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”
Canadian immigration rules state that “if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.” Partey has been charged with offenses in the UK but is awaiting trial and has not been convicted.
The Black Stars will now have to do without their midfield anchor for the crucial Group E opener against Panama.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghana have arrived in Providence, Rhode Island, for the final phase of preparations ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. The team departed Virginia on Thursday afternoon and touched down at T.F. Green International Airport in Rhode Island at about 6:00 p.m.
Head Coach Carlos Queiroz and his squad will resume training on Friday as they fine-tune preparations for their opening Group L game against Panama.
The Black Stars wrapped up a week-long training camp in Washington following their international friendly against Wales in Cardiff.
The camp in Virginia included intensive sessions at the American University and D.C. United training ground and a farewell dinner with the Ghanaian community in Alexandria.
Ghana now enters the final stretch of preparation in Providence before heading to Toronto for the June 17 opener against Panama at Toronto Stadium.
The Black Stars will also face England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27 to complete Group L.
Queiroz’s 26-man squad features captain Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, Iñaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, and goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, who is set for his second successive World Cup.
The team is expected to hold training sessions and series of Community engagement programs in Rhode Island in the coming days.
