Sports
Dreams to give Kotoko tough time
Dreams FC will be hoping to upset yet another top side when they clash with Kumasi Asante Kotoko in their crunch Week 23 fixture of the Ghana Premier League at the Len Clay Sports Stadium today.
The ‘slayers’ of Hearts of Oak will be beaming with confidence as they go into today’s encounter in their quest to jumble the Porcupine Warriors’ title ambitions.
Kotoko managed to bounce back to winning ways against Legon Cities in their last encounter but could be halted again by a very resolute and disciplined Dreams FC team.
Dreams, currently fifth on the league table, would be pushing for a top four position and a win against second-placed Kotoko will make their dreams come true.
With other teams including Great Olympics and Hearts on their heels, Kotoko cannot also afford to drop points in today’s game.
The Porcupine Warriors would be hoping to make home amends following their surprising 2-1 defeat to Medeama in their last home game.
They would rely on their recent upsurge under coach Mariano Barreto to get the job done and keep their hopes of winning this season’s league.
With the likes of Fabio Gama, Michael Vinicius, Naby Keita and Emmanuel Gyamfi in rich form, Kotoko would go all out to avoid any threat that Dreams would possess.
Kotoko struggled to beat Dreams FC 1-0 in the first round of this season’s league and would need to put in extra effort to get a double over the side that would also be seeking revenge on the day.
Today’s dicey encounter would pave way for other mouthwatering fixtures tomorrow including the clash between league leaders Medeama and Liberty Professionals at Sogakope.
Desperate to maintain their top spot, Medeama would go all out to clinch the three points while a win for a rejuvenated Liberty side would be fancied as they hope to stay far above the relegation zone.
Hearts would face off with the last-but-one on the league table – King Faisal, in another interesting encounter that would see both teams battle it out for the maximum points.
For Hearts, the three points would see them bounce back to winning ways after their defeat to Dreams FC in their last encounter and also keep them within top four while King Faisal would need the points in their bid to escape relegation.
The Len Clay Sports Stadium will also host the clash between Ashantigold and Techiman Eleven Wonders with the home side expected to secure all three points.
Aduana Stars face off with Berekum Chelsea at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park in another mouthwatering encounter, while Inter Allies clash with Elmina Sharks in Dawu.
Sixth and seventh-placed Karela and Bechem United respectively, would also face off at the Camp Park at Anyinase with Karela looking forward to making their home dominance count once again.
At the Cape Coast Stadium, the likes of Asamoah Ghana and Victorien Adebayor would be looking forward to finding their scoring boots for struggling Legon Cities when they play Ebusua Dwarfs.
BY MICHAEL D. ABAYATEYE
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
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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
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