Sports
Hearts aim to bounce back against Chelsea
• Richmond Ayi – Hearts goalie
Hearts of Oak will return to the Accra Sports Stadium today as they welcome Berekum Chelsea to a match-day 17 clash in the betPawa Premier League in a highly tricky affair.
The Phobians were stunned by Real Tamale United (RTU) last weekend, when a late stunner from their ex-player Manaf Umar denied them a point at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale.
A result marks Slavko Matic’s first away defeat of the campaign since resuming his role in October 2022.
Hearts have won just one of their last five games; recording three draws and a win – and sit fifth on the league log with six points adrift league leaders Aduana Stars.
Not disquieted by the poor run of results, the Serbian tactician is optimist Hearts will continue to fight for the title.
Reigning champions Asante Kotoko will make a trip to Dawu to lock horns with Dreams FC in a cagey encounter on Sunday.
The visitors have been impressive in their last three outings, picking up massive victories against Kotoku Royals (5-1) and (4-1) against Accra Lions.
The Porcupine Warriors will need nothing than a win to reduce the gap to one point against Aduana Stars and hope the ‘Ogya’ lads fall to Bechem United.
Dreams will have to improve on their performance, having managed a single win in their last five games.
The action continue tomorrow when two struggling clubs, Karela United welcome bottom-placed Kotoku Royals to the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park. This tie is expected to be an end-to-end action as both sides will need all three points to boost their chances of survival.
An improved RTU will trek to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to face inconsistent-performing King Faisal tomorrow.
Indeed, the Faisals will have a tough hurdle to scale at home against an RTU side who is yet to pick a defeat in their last nine games on home soil.
New-boys Nsoatreman at the Nana Konamansah Park will take on Great Olympics, while Samartex welcome Legon Cities to the Samartex Park.
Tamale City will rub shoulders with Medeama on Sunday, while Accra Lions host Bibiani Goldstars on Monday to round off the week.
By Linus Siaw Nartey
Sports
Black Starlets arrives in Morocco on U-17 AFCON mission …FA boss charges team to make Ghana proud
The Black Starlets, the national U-17 male team, have safely arrived in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team departed Accra on Wednesday, travelling with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.
They completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.
The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, was present at the Accra International Airport to bid farewell to the team.
Speaking during a brief farewell at the Airport, the FA President urged the team to carry a ‘never say die’ spirit into the competition.
President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity, particularly in difficult moments during matches. His message was inspired by the team’s recent friendly encounters against Cote d’Ivoire, where they bounced back strongly after an initial defeat.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Cote d’Ivoire in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to bounce back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” he said. “I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added.
The FA president stressed that the ability to respond positively to setbacks would be crucial in a tournament as competitive as the AFCON.
He encouraged the players to stay united and support one another when the pressure intensifies on the continental stage.
“When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together,” Okraku added. “So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, with their opening match scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-three (23) players have been called up for this month’s international friendly against Mexico.
The squad is composed of star players from the domestic league and European leagues who are closely monitored by Coach Carlos Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers.
Notable names include Majeed Ashimeru, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson, and Birmingham City’s Ibrahim Osman.
Ashimeru returns to action after a long spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury that limited his appearances at both club and national level.
Also in the team is Felix Afena-Gyan, whose last appearance for Ghana was in May last year when he featured against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Étienne, Ibrahim Osman of Birmingham City, and Paul Reverson of Ajax FC have also been included in the squad.
Midfielder Salim Adams, one of the key players for Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC, leads the group of home-based players.
Others are Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, Ebenezer Adade of Dreams FC, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson. Ghana will travel to Mexico for the international friendly on Friday, May 22, 2026.
