Sports
GoldStars GPL feat no fluke
No prophet in Ghana would have been taken serious with prophesies of Bibiani GoldStars becoming the new champions of the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League (GPL).
That is not to take anything away from Coach Frimpong Manso, an Asante Kotoko legend, and his boys for the yeoman’s job they did in the just ended season.
They deserve every bit of the plaudits coming from well-wishers.
They came, they saw and conquered on their fourth year (2021/2022 season) in the elite stage of Ghana football.
Of course, this can only be a reality in the end but not a sound prediction at the start of the season.
But, so has it been. Stories like that of GoldStars sharply brings to mind a similar fairytale orchestrated in the advanced English Premier League (GPL) with the 2015/16 edition.
In the face of the Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool dominance, Leicester emerged with a bang, conquering every hurdle in sight with unsung heroes like Jamie Vardy, Wilfred Ndidi, Shinji Okazaki, Leonardo Ulloa, Danny Drinkwater, Robert Huth, Riyad Mahrez and others.
There was no indication of that sort at the start of the season.
As usual, the focus was on the aforementioned heavyweights but Leicester took the competition by storm to record a historic win.
Back home, the GoldStars story is not different. Despite the recent struggles by perennial favourites, Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, the two have always found their ways in fans prediction regarding the side to emerge winners.
Interestingly, both sides just managed to end up in the top four after Nations FC’s decision to abandon a game against Basake Holy Stars who cost them dearly, in the end, forfeiting the said game and going ahead to suffer a further three points deduction penalty.
Nations FC were actually the top favourites for the title until that ill-fated match against Basake Holy Stars.
Campaigning for the second year in the competition, very few followers of the game gave the Timber giants any chance.
But in the same ‘Rambo’ style, teams like Medeama SC and Aduana Stars descended on the GPL, GoldStars emerged with all guns blazing, strategically employing a tactic of making the Dun’s Park in Bibiani, a waterloo for visiting teams.
On a few occasions, they sprung surprises on the journey, recording a few upsets against gullible teams including Hearts of Oak in Accra.
They had a promising coach like Frimpong Manso who is yet to establish himself among the elites local coaches maybe because he is yet to work with any of the established club sides in the country.
But winning the local competition with a less endowed club makes you a legend, and truly, he has become one.
To management and other members of the technical team, one could only congratulate them for a job well executed.
The players have a huge role to play in proving that the feat was no fluke and that GoldStars has come to stay; and would continue to make an impact in the local game.
Much is not known about these players except Vincent Atinga who plied his trade with Hearts of Oak and Medeama SC. Others like Samuel Attah Kumi, Frank Amankwah, Kelvin Oppong, Charles Gyamfi Kamara, Abdul Farouk Amoaful, Gideon Anaba, Samuel Acheampong, Foster Agyei and Yakubu Haqq remain emerging talents aiming to carve a niche for themselves.
Definitely with the new challenge, some areas of the team would be strengthened as they face the finest sides on the continent.
Another season with a new champion should also serve as a wake-up call for the likes of Hearts or Oak and Asante Kotoko to quickly return to their glory days lest they lose their enviable place among the football elite clubs. Well-done GoldStars.
By Andrew Nortey
Sports
WAFU B U20 BOYS CUP: Black Satellites Set for Must-Win Clash Against Benin in Final Group Game
The Black Satellites will return to action on Wednesday, July 17, when they take on Benin in a decisive Group A fixture of the 2025 WAFU Zone B U20 Boys Championship at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.
The match, which is both teams’ final group outing, kicks off at 15:00 GMT.
Ghana currently sit on one point after drawing 1-1 with Nigeria in their opening match. Benin, on the other hand, are bottom of the group following a 4-1 defeat to the Flying Eagles of Nigeria.
For Benin, it’s all or nothing — only a win will see them through to the semi-finals. Ghana, however, need just a draw to advance.
Black Satellites head coach Desmond Ofei has made it clear that his team is going all out for victory. Despite Benin’s heavy loss to Nigeria, Ofei expects a tough challenge.
“It’s an important game for us because we have to win to qualify,” he stated.
He added, “Despite their loss to Nigeria, they played well. We have to be sharp and hungry, show that we are the better side to get the 3 points.”
Benin coach Raymond Tchalè is also confident his side will respond strongly, likening their approach to that of a wounded lion.
“We know what is at stake. We are going to throw in everything. Nothing but a win matters, and we’ll fight for it,” he said.
The game promises high tension and drama, as both teams aim to secure a place in the semi-finals and keep their hopes of qualifying for the Africa U20 Cup of Nations alive.
The equation is simple: Black Satellites must avoid defeat, Benin must win.
With a place in the knockout stage on the line, Wednesday’s clash is shaping up to be one of the tournament’s most gripping encounters.
Sports
Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah credits teammates for Black Queens’ Quarterfinal progress
Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah expressed her delight after Ghana’s 4-1 win over Tanzania propelled the Black Queens into the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals.
Boye-Hlorkah’s stunning finish sealed the victory, setting up a quarterfinal clash against Algeria.
Ghana took the lead early through Princella Adubea, but Tanzania equalized before halftime courtesy of Stumai Abdallah. The Black Queens dominated the second half, with Alice Kusi and Evelyn Badu adding to the scoreline.
“I’m so proud of the girls,” Boye-Hlorkah said after the game.
“They’ve got my back out there. As a vocal player, I try to lead and push the team to its best, and it’s amazing to see everyone working together.” she added.
