Sports
GPL: Hearts, Kotoko eye comebacks
Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko will seek to bounce back from last weekโs defeats when they take on their respective opponents in week 18 of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) games this weekend.
Hearts will trek to the Hohoe Sports Stadium to play as guests of new boys, Hohoe United, today, while Asante Kotoko stay at the Baba Yara Stadium to welcome relegation-threatened Berekum Chelsea.
After a goalless game in their first-round fixture, the Hearts and Hohoe United clash presents a fine opportunity for either side to earn the bragging rights over the other.
For Kotoko, their game against Berekum Chelsea on paper looks relatively easier, with the latter struggling to find their feet in the league this season.
Fourth-placed Aduana FC will look to appease their fans with a win when they take on seventh-placed Karela United at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park in Dormaa.
The Ogya boys suffered a shocking 1-0 home defeat to Vision FC last week, one that plunged the town of Dormaa in silence.
Romanian tactician, Cioaba Aristica, believes his Aduana side has no excuse not to secure the three points tomorrow, as any other result will jeopardise their title aspirations.
After brushing aside Asante Kotoko at home last Sunday, Swedru All Blacks will look to add visiting Nations FC to their growing list of casualties when they cross swords at the Swedru Stadium tomorrow.
In other games, defending league champions, Bibiani Gold Stars SC, will travel to the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park to face troubled Bechem United in a must-win game for the latter.
Fresh from their 1-0 victory over Hearts of Oak last week, league leaders, Medeama SC, will hope to keep the winning momentum when they welcome Young Apostles to the TnA Stadium.
Bechem sits a point above the relegation zone, having lost eight games, drawn four, and won five, while the visitors are coming into the game with 10 wins, two draws, and five losses.
The Nsenkyire Sports Arena in Samreboi will come alive when home side Samartex FC welcomes Vision FC while Kpando Heart of Lions engage Dreams FC at the Tuba Astro Turf.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
Officials from the Ghana mission in the United Arab Emirates have paid a morale-boosting visit to the camp of the Black Queens.
The delegation, made up of Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto, Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai and Head of Transport Anas Shaibu, visited the team to assure them of the governmentโs support and commitment to their safety and welfare.
During the visit, the officials interacted with the team and offered words of encouragement, urging the team to remain focused on the tournament despite concerns surrounding unrest in parts of the UAE.
Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto emphasised that the Ghanaian government, through its diplomatic mission, is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to ensuring the teamโs safety throughout their stay.
โWe want the team to stay calm and focus on the competition. The government and the embassy are doing everything possible to ensure your safety and well-being.โ he said.
Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai also reiterated the missionโs readiness to provide any assistance required by the team during the tournament.
Leadership of the team expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as timely and motivating.
With the backing of Ghanaโs diplomatic officials in the UAE, the Black Queens remain determined to represent the country proudly and deliver strong performances in the Pink Ladies Cup.
The Black Queens have arrived in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the upcoming Pink Ladies Cup in Dubai. The team touched down at the Dubai International Airport via Emirates Air on Wednesday morning and were warmly received by the competitionโs organising officials.
The squad will be based at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, where they will begin their final preparations for the tournament. Organised as part of the international womenโs football calendar, the Pink Ladies Cup is expected to feature four national sides using the competition to assess their squads and fine-tune strategies for upcoming tournaments.
Ghana will open their campaign today with a clash against Hong Kong, while Russia and Tanzania face off in the other opening match.
The Black Queens are then scheduled to return to action on March 3, when they take on Russia in a match expected to test them against a physically strong opponent.
The final round of games will be played on March 6, with Ghana closing their campaign against Tanzania at 9:00 pm.
With three matches in eight days, the tournament promises to be a crucial phase in Ghanaโs preparation, as the Black Queens aim to return to continental action sharper, stronger, and more competitive.
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