Sports
Can Kotoko halt Karela’s run?
League leaders Karela United’s attempt to extend their lead at the top of the league will face fierce opposition today when they contend with Asante Kotoko in a match-day 13 Ghana Premier league clash.
Karela have taken the league by storm shocking many pundits with their early climb to the summit and their sterling performance that has seen them lose just two out of 12 games.
Impressively, the ‘Passion and Pride’ boys have won all six games at their dreaded CAM Park at Anyinase, dispatching off opponents with ease.
Despite this impressive run, Coach Evans Adotey’s boys may face the biggest threat to entrench their home invincibility against a Kotoko side who are yet to lose on the road in six outings and inflicted a 1-0 defeat on the homeside in a similar fixture at the CAM Park last year in the truncated league.
Both sides boast clinical arrowheads as Karela have in their fold the league’s top-scorer Diawiase Taylor whilst Kotoko striker Kwame Opoku would be eager to score after failing to hit the back of the net in three games.
At the Accra Sports Stadium, Hearts of Oak would pitch their strength against a resurgent Legon Cities in a local derby. Cities would be eager to continue their fine form that has seen them climb drastically out of the claws of relegation into 11th on the league log. This aim would be a long-shot with the ‘Phobians’ losing two Accra derbies against Allies and Olympics, they would be eager to reclaim some pride in the capital against Cities.
In other games, high-flying Olympics will be eager to maintain their momentum against Bechem United but would be required to produce double of their scintillating displays as Bechem United are undefeated at the Nana Gyeambour Park whilst WAFA’s quest to overcome their 3-0 loss in Dawu against Dreams would be a herculean ordeal against Aduana at Dormaa.
At the Len Clay Stadium at Obuasi, Ashantigold who are suffering a loss of form after going winless in three games face Liberty Professionals who like the ‘Miners’ have lost their way and must carve a winning plan as they battle with the threat of relegation.
Dreams FC, who are on the ascendancy, will face a difficult task trekking to Bechem to face XI Wonders, who despite a promising start have stuttered with a run of bad results with Elmina Sharks confronting Berekum Chelsea at the Nduom Park.
King Faisal would be hoping to repeat their splendid displays that saw them bounce back from 3-0 down to win 4-3 against Berekum Chelsea on Matchweek 11 against Medeama, despite losing to Olympics 3-1 in Accra on Wednesday, ‘Alhaji Gruzah’ boys have shown a determination to avoid the relegation drop with top marksman Kwame Peprah leading the charge.
Bottom-placed Inter Allies’ hopes to revive their season would have to pass the litmus test against stubborn Ebusua Dwarfs who have proven to be good travelers this season when the two sides clash in Accra.
THE Ghana Premier League (GPL) enters another exciting weekend with Asante Kotoko and Medeama SC set for a crucial showdown while Accra Hearts of Oak seek to strengthen their title challenge and FC AshantiGold 04 begin life after the departure of Coach Abdul Karim Zito.
The Matchday 9 fixtures, scheduled for today and tomorrow, promise another round of compelling contests as clubs battle for early season supremacy, continental ambitions and stability.
The headline fixture is the meeting between the Porcupine Warriors and the Mauve and Yellow at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium tomorrow where both sides will be eager to make a statement.
Kotoko will have the advantage of home support but the Tarkwa-based side are expected to provide a stern test for the Porcupine Warriors.
The Kumasi giants have endured an inconsistent opening to the campaign, with their recent results highlighting the need for greater consistency if they are to mount a serious title challenge.
Their 1-1 draw with FC AshantiGold 04 in the previous fixture underlined the difficulties they have faced in turning competitive performances into maximum points.
Against Medeama, the Reds must combine defensive discipline with greater attacking efficiency. Playing before their home supporters could provide the necessary lift, but they would need to avoid giving the visitors opportunities to exploit any defensive lapses.
Medeama, meanwhile, will travel to Kumasi determined to demonstrate why they are among the teams expected to challenge for the title.
For both clubs, victory would offer more than three points. It would provide an important psychological boost and strengthen their position in an increasingly competitive title race.
Hearts of Oak will also be among the teams attracting considerable attention as they travel to face Debibi United tomorrow.
The Phobians have made encouraging progress in recent weeks, with their defensive solidity and growing confidence giving supporters reasons to believe that a sustained title challenge is possible.
Their 1-0 victory over Basake Holy Stars, secured through Martin Karikari’s late strike, strengthened their position at the summit of the league after eight matches. The result also extended their winning run to three matches.
However, maintaining that momentum away from home will be another test of their credentials.
Debibi United will be determined to frustrate the visitors and use home advantage to their benefit.
Hearts must, therefore, approach the encounter with patience and discipline, particularly if their opponents adopt a compact defensive approach.
With the standings still capable of changing significantly at this early stage, maximum points could help Hearts consolidate their position at the top or reclaim it, depending on the results of their closest challengers.
Another major talking point is the decision by FC AshantiGold 04 to part ways with Head Coach and Technical Director, Abdul Karim Zito, Assistant Coach Ernest Okyere, and goalkeepers’ trainer, Robert Dabo.
The development comes as AshantiGold prepare to visit Swedru All Blacks tomorrow, presenting an immediate test for the club’s caretaker technical team.
The question is whether the coaching changes will produce the desired reaction or further unsettle a side still searching for consistency.
Swedru All Blacks, who will enjoy home advantage, will be keen to capitalise on any disruption within the visitors’ camp.
Elsewhere, Aduana FC would host Berekum Chelsea in a potentially tight contest, while Basake Holy Stars welcome Dreams FC.
Heart of Lions will face Bechem United, and Samartex take on Bibiani Gold Stars in another intriguing fixture. Vision FC will meet Port City today, while Young Apostles host Karela United tomorrow.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
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
THE 24th edition of the Accra Seniors Tennis Open Championship, organised by the Accra Lawn Tennis Club, is scheduled to take place from Monday, November 23 to Saturday, December 5, 2026, organisers have announced.
Consequently, registration for the tournament has opened, offering professional and amateur players an opportunity to participate in the competition that assembles the best of the aged in the tennis fraternity.
Registration will close on Friday, November 20, 2026, with the draw and viewing for the competition scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2026 and Sunday, November 22, 2026, respectively.
Entry fees have been pegged at GH¢150 for the singles event and GH¢200 for the doubles event.
Matches will be played on weekdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The competition will feature various categories, including ladies’ singles, men’s singles, ladies’ doubles, men’s doubles, advanced social singles and doubles, as well as mixed doubles.
In the ladies’ singles event, players will compete in different age categories, including those aged up to 39 years.
The men’s singles event will feature players in the 25–34, 35–44 and 55–64 age categories.
For the ladies’ doubles event, participants will compete in the under-40 and 40-and-above categories, while the men’s doubles event will feature players aged 35–44, 45–54, 55–64, 65–69 and 70 years and above.
The advanced social singles and doubles categories, for both men and women, are designed for high-level amateur players seeking competitive matches outside the demands of professional and semi-professional circuits.
The mixed doubles event will also provide an opportunity for players to compete in combined male and female pairings.
The tournament is expected to attract players of different ages and skill levels, with spectators anticipated to witness exciting displays of skill, technique and sportsmanship throughout the competition.
By Benjamin Arcton-Tettey
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
