Sports
Can Medeama tame Heart of Lions?
The 2024/25 Ghana Premier League (GPL) reaches week five this weekend with intriguing clashes across the various centres.
The action spot would surely be the Tarkwa and Abosso (T&A) Stadium where highflying league leaders, Medeama SC, engages Kpando Heart of Lions today at 6pm local time.
Medeama is currently enjoying a perfect run and seem to be working towards the vow to return to Africa club competition by winning the league.
That appear to have been bolstered by the fact that they have one of the finest venues in the competition and pushed a vibrant supporter’s wing.
At home, they look good to maintain their good run against the Kpando side who have also given a good account of themselves so far.
It may look like a clash of equals but the Mauves and Yellows possess more firepower to end up victors.
Following from tomorrow, Asante Kotoko would return to their adopted Len Clay Stadium base in Obuasi to welcome Accra Lions.
Kotoko have performed creditably so far and would hope to annex the maximum points after dropping points against Berekum Chelsea last week.
But against a resurgent Accra Lions, who recorded their first win last week, it will be a tall mountain to climb.
Karela United will welcome defending champions, FC Samartex 1996, to the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale, what also promises to be full of fireworks.
At the Nana Konamansah Park at Nsuatre tomorrow, Nsoatreman FC will host Legon Cities in a battle the host would use to redeem themselves after losing 3-1 to Accra Lions in the previous week.
The GoldStars FC versus Bechem United game at the Duns Park in Bibiani will be expected to be full of fireworks just as Berekum Chelsea engagement with Young Apostles FC at the Golden City Park.
Winless Dreams FC will maintain the hunt for a first win when they play Nations FC at their adopted Tuba Astro turf while the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports complex in Tema host the battle of the GPL debutants, Vision FC and Basake Holy Stars.
Hearts of Oak and Aduana Stars opened the weekend’s round of matches yesterday at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra, yesterday.
By Andrew Nortey
Sports
Black Starlets arrives in Morocco on U-17 AFCON mission …FA boss charges team to make Ghana proud
The Black Starlets, the national U-17 male team, have safely arrived in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team departed Accra on Wednesday, travelling with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.
They completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.
The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, was present at the Accra International Airport to bid farewell to the team.
Speaking during a brief farewell at the Airport, the FA President urged the team to carry a ‘never say die’ spirit into the competition.
President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity, particularly in difficult moments during matches. His message was inspired by the team’s recent friendly encounters against Cote d’Ivoire, where they bounced back strongly after an initial defeat.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Cote d’Ivoire in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to bounce back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” he said. “I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added.
The FA president stressed that the ability to respond positively to setbacks would be crucial in a tournament as competitive as the AFCON.
He encouraged the players to stay united and support one another when the pressure intensifies on the continental stage.
“When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together,” Okraku added. “So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, with their opening match scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-three (23) players have been called up for this month’s international friendly against Mexico.
The squad is composed of star players from the domestic league and European leagues who are closely monitored by Coach Carlos Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers.
Notable names include Majeed Ashimeru, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson, and Birmingham City’s Ibrahim Osman.
Ashimeru returns to action after a long spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury that limited his appearances at both club and national level.
Also in the team is Felix Afena-Gyan, whose last appearance for Ghana was in May last year when he featured against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Étienne, Ibrahim Osman of Birmingham City, and Paul Reverson of Ajax FC have also been included in the squad.
Midfielder Salim Adams, one of the key players for Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC, leads the group of home-based players.
Others are Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, Ebenezer Adade of Dreams FC, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson. Ghana will travel to Mexico for the international friendly on Friday, May 22, 2026.
