Sports
Chelsea, Liberty, Legon maximum points Citieschase
With week-five fixtures of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) postponed due to the upcoming December 7 elections, week four games commenced on Thursday and are expected to end tomorrow.
However two of Ghana’s representatives in Africa, Asante Kotoko and Ashgold SC will have their games this weekend between Medeama SC and Bechem United respectively postponed due to their participation in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederations Cup.
However, the excitement continues today at The Golden City Park in Berekum where Berekum Chelsea lock horns with Liberty Professionals. Chelsea without a single win after three games will have a high ladder to climb against a win-less Liberty side who have harvested three draws in three games. A win from both sides will break the streak.
Dreams FC host Legon Cities at the Dawu Park in an equally engaging cagey affair today. Dreams picked up a painful defeat away to Karela United and will be eager to make amends playing at their comfort zone, while the Royals’ under new gaffer Bashir Hayford will be aiming to record their first win after a barren draw with Medeama SC last weekend.
Techiman Eleven Wonders will continue with their stunning performance when they play West African Soccer Academy (WAFA) at the Nana Ameyaw Park in Techiman.
The ‘Sure Wonders’ are yet to concede defeat after two wins and a draw in three games as a win against WAFA will see Coach Ignatius Osei Fosu and his lads sit top of the league log for the first time. The Sogakope lads after a win against King Faisal on Match Day One have only managed a point in their last two games and will also aim to surprise Wonders away.
Great Olympics will round off the last round of games with a stiff encounter against Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs. Olympics saw no action on Match Day Three with Asante Kotoko but will return to action on Sunday.
The Dade boys stole the headlines after the 3-0 emphatic victory over Legon Cities and a win will see them make it two wins in a row. Dwarfs will be aiming to keep their consistency against Olympics after securing a vital home win over Berekum Chelsea.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
The world over, the FA Cup is noted as a competition that produces winners whose pedigree can always be called into question.
This year in particular when many predicted an all-conquering Arsenal to win the English version of the championship, they were beaten by a struggling Manchester City side to win the trophy.
The season before, a dominant Manchester City side also surprisingly lost to Crystal Palace in a final many expected the east Manchester side to triumph.
The Ghana version of the competition is not spared of the surprises and uncertainties about the competition.
On Sunday at the University of Ghana Stadium, Nations FC walked a path that only defunct Ho Voradep treaded on 34 years ago when they suffered relegation in the 1992 edition but won the FA Cup competition.
Having faced the ignominy of relegation, Nations FC put up a strong fight to beat Dreams FC 5-4 on penalties to win the MTN FA Cup after drawing 1-1 in regulation and extra time.
Joseph Effah put Nations FC ahead in the 31st minute with a composed finish before Abdul Razak Salifu levelled for Dreams FC on the stroke of halftime.
Both sides had good chances in the second half and extra time, but all failed to find the back of the net again until the shoot-outs.
It was not just historic. It is the biggest silverware in their trophy cabinet. Though they would campaign from the lower tier of Ghana football, they would hoist Ghana’s flag in the CAF Confederations Cup competition in the next season.
It was a dramatic and memorable season, leaving huge responsibility on the tiny shoulders of Dr Kwame Kyei’s Nations FC.
The focus is now on the future for the winners considering the financial challenge that comes with participation for the continental championship others to arise regarding the acceptance of their home venue.
While commending the FA Cup committee and MTN Ghana, the headline sponsors, one hopes that corporate sectors consider that difficulty and rush to the aid of the club. Ayekoo, Nations FC.
By Andrew Nortey
Sports
National Teams Ambassador, Asamoah Gyan visits Black Queens training, rallies team ahead of WAFCON
National Teams Ambassador, Asamoah Gyan, paid a visit to the Black Queens during training on Wednesday.
The former Black Stars striker offered words of encouragement as the team continued preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
He congratulated the players and technical team for securing qualification to the continental showpiece and urged the team to remain focused, give their best whenever they step onto the pitch and to continue working hard.
The visit marked one of Gyan’s first engagements with a national team since his appointment as Ambassador for Ghana’s national teams.
He also assured the players of his commitment to supporting and motivating the team as they build towards WAFCON.
Gyan’s presence was warmly received by the players and technical staff, with the football icon sharing his experience and inspiring the squad as well.
The Black Queens are currently in camp in Accra as the team continue preparations under coach Kim Lars Björkegren.
