Sports
Hearts battle Kotoko in Accra
The long-standing fierce rivalry between two of Ghana’s most successful teams, Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko will be reignited tomorrow when the two combatants clash at the Accra Sports Stadium in a Ghana Premier League (GPL) Match Week 14 outstanding fixture.
Edgy fans of both sides would look forward to an intriguing ‘Super 2’ clash after the encounter was postponed due to Kotoko’s engagement in continental football competition.
Having failed to qualify to the stage of the Confederations Cup competition, the coast is now clear for both sides to ‘energise’ their respective campaigns to return to Africa club competition by emerging tops in the GPL; and also knowing that a win in the encounter will go a long way to boost their confidence.
Sadly, the clash that would usually attract a mammoth crowd would be played behind closed doors as part of the enforcement of Covid-19 restrictions.
Despite the troubles in their camp, Hearts appear to have rediscovered their groove, pulling two important wins over Dwarfs and Liberty Professionals to boost their confidence ahead of the tie.
Another win for Hearts, currently sixth on the league table, could hand them a top four place as they look forward to finishing the season as one of the teams at the summit.
The likes of Patrick Razak and the team’s top scorers Victor Aidoo and Kwadjo Obeng Jnr are expected to give Kotoko enough trouble upfront with young forward Isaac Mensah who scored in two consecutive games as a substitute would also be hoping to start for the Phobians to continue his rich scoring form.
However, a ‘wounded’ Kotoko side that crashed out of the CAF Confederation Cup would hope to make amends in the Premier League with a win against their rivals.
They would go into the game hoping to make their dominance at the Accra Sports Stadium count once again having succeeded in turning their adopted Accra Stadium grounds into a waterloo for visiting sides in recent years.
Since 2006, Kotoko have won six of their 12 encounters with Hearts who have been victorious on four occasions and two of the games ending in a draw.
Kotoko’s last victory against the homes side was in January 2020 before the pandemic where they won 2-1 to add to the Phobian’s frustration in Accra.
The Porcupine Warriors would also count on the likes of Fabio Gama, Sulley Muniru and Habib Mohammed to lead a formidable guard to counter the threats from their rivals.
It would be a defining encounter for both teams who are desperate to clinch the three points following a topsy-turvy season so far.
BY MICHAEL D. ABAYATEYE
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 government’s 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 team’s safety throughout their stay.
“We 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.” he said.
Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai also reiterated the mission’s 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 Ghana’s 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 competition’s 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 women’s 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 Ghana’s preparation, as the Black Queens aim to return to continental action sharper, stronger, and more competitive.
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