Sports
Can Academy boys surprise Kotoko?
Porcupine Warriors Kumasi Asante Kotoko are desperate to pounce on top position at the slightest opportunity.
And, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday, the Reds hope to do justice to that mission as they engage a struggling WAFA side that is currently uncharacteristically rooted at the 15th spot.
The Academy boys have been experiencing a rather bad-patch of form, especially since the departure of their trusted gaffer – Dr Prosper Narteh Ogum, ahead of the season.
On Sunday, WAFA would have to prove to their former trainer that they do not really miss him by putting up a credible performance – good enough to secure them at least, a point. It looks a tough order, though.
With 17 points from eight games, second-placed Kotoko (who have a game in hand against rivals Hearts of Oak), would not want to drop their guard any further as they plot to reclaim the championship title.
After securing an impressive away point against AshantiGold in Obuasi, ‘Wonder Club’ Great Olympics appeared fired up enough to beat Eleven Wonders in a game many have dubbed ‘Clash of the Wonders’ at the Accra Sports Stadium.
RTU’s top goal-poacher David Abagna will be a real thorn in the flesh of Accra Lions in a cagey, nervy-racking encounter in Accra on Saturday.
After winning two games on the bounce, Hearts of Oak look invigorated to take on Dreams FC at the Theatre of Dreams in Dawu tomorrow.
In other fixtures of Week 10, Bechem United welcome imposing King Faisal to Bechem; struggling Elmina Sharks slot it out with Legon Cities in Elmina, whilst Berekum Chelsea host wounded AshantiGold at the Golden City Park.
Yet another cracker takes place in Bibiani where Gold Stars entertain Karela United with Medeama obliging league leaders Aduana Stars at the T&A Park in Tarkwa.
Full fixtures
Bechem United v King Faisal
Berekum Chelsea v AshantiGold
Great Olympics v Eleven Wonders
Elmina Sharks v Legon Cities
Bibiani Goldstars v Karela United
Accra Lions v RTU
Dreams FC v Hearts
Kotoko v WAFA
Medeama v Aduana
By Spectator Sports Reporter
Otto Addo is taking a calm and focused approach to the World Cup after being drawn against England, Panama, and Croatia in Group L.
“I look forward to every game as special,” he told ghanafa.org.
“Very important for us that we don’t underrate any team. For sure, England is the favourite in that group,” he acknowledged. “But for me as a coach, to be honest, I’m looking at each and every game equally.”
Addo is particularly focused on getting a strong start against Panama. “I’m hoping that we have a good start against Panama, that will be very, very crucial,” he said. “It will make the other games a little bit more relaxed and easier for the players psychologically. We will use the window of March for test matches, and then see,” he said.
Despite being a young team, Addo is proud of his squad’s progress. “I think we did very well in the qualifiers ” he said. “We didn’t lose a single official game, like the qualifying games, we did very well. We just played one draw and the rest we won, so we had quite a good year in 2025, after a bad year in 2024’’.
“Even though we have a very young team, we really, really did well, had a good harmony in the team, good union,” he added.
Ghana will open their FIFA World Cup campaign against Panama in Toronto on June 17 before facing England and Croatia in the other Group L matches on June 23 and 27 respectively.
The unbeaten away run of Accra Hearts of Oak will be put to the test tomorrow when they visit the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale to play as guests of Karela United. Described as one of the top-liners of the weekend games, the match will pitch one of the best home teams against the best away team, with their records on the line.
After playing a pulsating 2-2 draw with Kumasi Asante Kotoko last week, league leaders Medeama SC return to their fortress, the TnA Stadium, to welcome Berekum Chelsea FC in a clash of former league winners. Medeama have struggled in recent times to hold their own against the ‘Bibires’, losing their last four games both home and away.
However, according to Head Coach of Medeama, Tanko Ibrahim, that sequence of results will come to an end tomorrow as they look to crawl out of the claws of their opponents with victory. Eleven points separate the sides, with Berekum Chelsea lying a distant 14th position on the log. They have been a pale shadow of themselves this season, and it remains to be seen if Coach Samuel Boadu’s side can keep the bragging rights over the Yellow and Mauves in what has been described as one of their worse starts to a league season.
Today, second-placed Kpando Heart of Lions will trek to the Kwame Kyei Sports Complex in Abrankese to play as guests of struggling Nations FC. Having suffered a 1-0 away loss to Basake Holy Stars in their last game, Nations FC would look to pick all three points to better their current 12th position.
In other games, the Hohoe Sports Stadium will come alive as new boys Hohoe United FC welcome Kumasi Asante Kotoko. The Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex in Tema will host the Vision FC versus Young Apostles FC game, the Tuba Astro Turf will host the Dreams FC versus Bechem United FC clash, while the Nsenkyire Sports Arena will host the Samartex FC versus Bibiani Gold Stars game. High-riding Aduana FC will sort things out with Basake Holy Stars at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park in Dormaa.
By Raymond Ackumey
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