Sports
Crunch Berekum Chelsea test for Kotoko
Asante Kotoko will be eager to clinch a second straight victory at the Berekum Golden City Park this afternoon when they face Berekum Chelsea after sinking AshantiGold at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in four-goal thriller on match day 12.
Berekum Chelsea have gone two games without a win, playing goalless against Great Olympics and a 1-1 deadlock with Medeama.
Having tasted sweet victory over Aduana Stars at Dormaa for the first time and crashing poor performing Ashgold, the Porcupine Warriors will bring a lot of attention to themselves as they dash for a possible third consecutive win on match day 13.
The Blues of Berekum will have to prove to their fierce critics beyond every reasonable doubt that the departure of their former captain, Stephen Amankona to the Kotoko camp, would have no effect on them – by securing a famous massive victory today.
With 26 points from 11 games, Asante Kotoko and their gaffer, Dr Prosper Narteh Ogum, will look further to stretch the lead – even with a game at hand against their sworn rivals, Hearts.
At the Tarkwa Akoon Park on Sunday, Medeama will welcome Olympics to a fierce tie that would have a lot at stake because of the slender points difference between the two teams.
Hearts make a return to the Accra Sports Stadium tomorrow to wrangle it out with Eleven Wonders after their away fixture against Medeama at the Akoon Park.
The Phobians will attempt to go for the maximum points in order play catch-up with Kotoko ahead of their outstanding game on February 20.
Wounded Ashgold will face bottom-placed Elmina Sharks, who are yet to win a game after a seven-straight losing streak.
At Sogakope on Sunday, West African Football Academy (WAFA) will lock horns with eighth-placed Dreams FC. Dreams went away to pick a point at Tamale, which makes them the favourites going into this game.
Second-placed Aduana Stars will host Accra Lions at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park in Dormaa. Technically, Aduana will start the game as favourites though Accra Lions can cause a surprise, looking at their previous two matches; drawing away with WAFA and winning on the road against Legon Cities.
The Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale will host newbies Real Tamale United (RTU) and Bibiani Gold Stars in top cracker. With RTU losing marksman, David Abagna to assignment with the Black Stars in Cameroon, the Tamale lads will have to prove their doubters that their team play is not built on one man.
Gold Stars are coming into this game hungrier after losing to Hearts at Bibiani in their previous fixture.
Action continues on Monday when Legon Cities host Bechem United at the Accra Sports Stadium.
As of press time yesterday at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Karela United were battling it out with King Faisal.
By Emmanuel Asante
Asante Kotoko SC has announced with deep sadness the passing of its former Brands and Marketing Manager, Kweku Hammond.
In a statement released by the club, Kotoko described Hammond’s death as untimely and expressed heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones.
“Although his time with the club was brief, Kweku served with dedication, diligence, and unwavering commitment to Asante Kotoko,” the club stated. “His contributions and loyalty to the club will not be forgotten.”
Kweku Hammond served in the club’s Brands and Marketing department, where he played a role in promoting the Porcupine Warriors’ brand and engaging supporters.
The club assured that it will continue to honour his memory and legacy.
“May his soul rest in perfect peace,” the statement concluded.
Fans and members of the football fraternity have since joined the club in mourning, sharing tributes to Hammond for his professionalism and commitment during his time at club.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Captain of Ghana’s National U-15 Boys team, Abdul Aziz Issa, says the exposure gained at the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival 2026 in Azerbaijan will be vital for the development of the squad.
Ghana finished 7th out of 189 countries after an impressive campaign, winning eight of ten matches.
“I think we played well, the exposure was good for our development, and we can’t thank FIFA and the GFA enough for this amazing platform,” Issa said.
“I’m so very happy to be part of this FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival 2026 in Azerbaijan. I want to thank my colleagues for how far we have brought Ghana in this tournament.”
The captain believes the experience will prepare the group for future challenges at U-17 and U-20 level.
Ghana enjoyed an outstanding tournament, scoring 44 goals and establishing themselves among the top seven teams.
Their dominant group stage saw them score 27 goals while conceding just three. Salifu Fatawu’s side opened with a commanding 4-1 win over Uzbekistan, thrashed Myanmar 7-1, recorded emphatic 7-0 wins over Guam and the Bahamas, before rounding off the group with a 2-1 triumph over Kazakhstan.
Their pursuit of a higher finish suffered a setback in the knockout phase after elimination by Paraguay in a dramatic encounter.
The team bounced back to finish 7th, including a commanding 4-0 victory over Colombia in their final game, despite suffering a 7-1 defeat to Brazil in the Tier A Ranking Play-Offs.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
