Sports
Coach Frimpong Manso plots double over Hearts
Hamza Issah – Hearts
Accra Hearts of Oak will look to put their league title aspirations back on track when they take on Bibiani Gold Stars at the Accra Sports Stadium tomorrow in a top match-day 24 fixture of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).
The Phobians went on an eight-match unbeaten run in the league but suffered a blip in their last game against league leaders Samartex FC who grounded that run with a 2-1.
But Coach Aboubakar Ouattara believes the only way to respond to that defeat is to pick all three points tomorrow.
Gold Stars have not been lucky at the Accra Sports Stadium, losing all their previous games against the Phobians. This remains a huge inspirations for the Phobians going into the game tomorrow.
However, they would be playing under the instructions of Coach Frimpong Manso who defeated Hearts while with Bofoakwa Tano. That also presents an inspiration for the visitors, knowing that they have a trainer who knows his way around their guests.
League leaders Samartex FC will look to maintain their hold on the championship when they host defending champions Medeama SC at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena.
Samartex will be chasing their first win over the champions in the league after losing the first-round tie 1-0.
Medeama managed to hold the Timber giants to a goalless draw at the same venue last season, however with their form, it remains to be seen how they can stop the host from grabbing all three points.
Aduana Stars hope to return to winning ways when they host Real Tamale United at their favourite Nana Agyemang Badu Park, in Dormaa.
Coming into this game without a Head Coach, the task of beating Aduana Stars away looks daunting for the Tamale lads especially after their host suffered a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Great Olympics in their last game in Accra.
In other games, Asante Kotoko will trek to the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem with the hope of picking their first point from their last four games; Accra Lions welcome Bofoakwa Tano to the Accra Sports Stadium; Nsoatreman FC will host Berekum Chelsea at the Nana Amoah Koronmasah II park in Nsoatre while Karela United face Heart of Lions at the Naa Sheriga Sports Complex in Nalerigu.
The game between Dreams FC and Legon Cities scheduled for the Theatre of Dreams in Dawu has been postponed to allow Dreams FC have their CAF Confederation Cup second leg quarter-final game against Stade Malien at the Baba Yara Stadium, tomorrow.
By Raymond Ackumey
The Black Starlets will intensify preparations for the upcoming 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations with a double-header of friendly matches against FC Samartex 1996 at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, Samraboi.
The national U-17 side will first take on the youth team of Samartex on Saturday at4pm, as the technical team continues to assess player combinations and sharpen match readiness ahead of the continental tournament.
The following day, Sunday, March 15, the Starlets will return to the same venue to face the senior side of Samartex in another crucial preparatory fixture, also scheduled for 4pm.
These matches form part of a series of build-up games designed to test the squad’s depth, tactical discipline and competitive edge as they prepare for the AFCON challenge.
The Starlets have already played several friendly matches during their training programme, including encounters against True Democracy FC, Port City FC, Attram De Visser Academy, Semper Fi FC and Golden Kick FC.
The upcoming double-header is expected to provide another valuable opportunity for the technical team to fine-tune strategies and evaluate players as Ghana’s young talents continue their preparations for the 2026 U-17 AFCON.
The Football Association, in partnership with the Ghana Education Service in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern Region, is supporting the Ayensuano District Basic Schools Sports Festival, a three-day sporting event aimed at nurturing young talent and empowering students through sports and education.
The festival, scheduled to take place from March 9 to March 13, 2026, at Kofipare, will be held under the theme “Strengthening the Reset: Unleashing the Champion in You.”
The event is being organized in honour of Rev. Alexander Narh Amanya, the District Director of Education for Ayensuano, in recognition of his contribution to educational and youth development in the district.
The Women’s Football Development Unit of the GFA’s Technical Directorate views the festival as a significant platform to implement the Education Pillar of the GFA Women’s Football Strategy, which seeks to promote awareness, participation, and development opportunities for girls in football.
As part of the initiative, the GFA will engage female students through educational and empowerment sessions designed to introduce them to pathways in women’s football and encourage greater participation in the sport.
The Football Association will be represented by key officials who will provide mentorship and educational guidance to the participants.
Jennifer Amankwaa Sarpong, GFA Women’s Football Development Manager, will educate the girls on the Women’s Football Development Pathways, highlighting opportunities within the sport and potential career prospects.
Bernice Bempah, GFA Women’s Safeguarding Officer, will lead discussions on the GFA Safeguarding Code of Ethics, focusing on creating safe sporting environments and educating the girls on recognizing inappropriate behaviour, setting boundaries and confidently reporting concerns.
Patience Boadu, a public health practitioner and nurse, will facilitate sessions on girls’ health and football, covering important topics such as healthy lifestyles, hydration, menstruation, and personal hygiene.
The Ayensuano District Basic Schools Sports Festival is expected to combine sport, education and mentorship, creating an enabling environment for young girls to discover their potential both on and off the field while aligning with the broader vision of the Ghana FA to grow women’s football across the country.
