Sports
Hearts, Dreams in cliffhanger
Will it be a moment of revenge for Dreams FC when they welcome Hearts of Oak to the Theatre of Dreams, at Dawu in a thrilling match day 22 fixture of the Ghana Premier League tomorrow? Can Dreams make this possible after their leading scorer left few weeks ago to join Algerian outfit MC Algier.
These are some of the questions being asked as Joseph Esso’s absence will be greatly felt after he chalked 10 goals in 16 games for the ‘Still Believe’ lads before leaving the shores of Ghana.
Dreams fell prey to a humiliating 3-0 defeat in the hands of the Phobians in December and will be eager to avenge the disappointing first round result. Heartily, gaffer Vladislav Viric could count on the individual prowess of the dangerous trio of Agyemang Boateng, Emmanuel Ocran and Percious Boah to pull the strings for the side. The second round have seen the home team record just a single win in four games with two draws, conceding one defeat which have seen them drop from the top-four slot now to sixth position.
The Phobians, on the other hand, will be seeking to patch things up after the frustrating draw against Karela United last weekend. Not the best of starts from the visiting team, Hearts have managed only two victories with one defeat and a stalemate in their last four outings – and could use this daunting test to keep them in the title race should they pick all three points. Looking to close the two point difference on leaders Medeama SC, skipper Fatawu Mohammed and his charges would leave no stone unturned in their quest to keep their title hopes alive and end the trophy drought since they lasted lifted the trophy in 2009.
Second-placed Kotoko will travel to face Legon Cities at the Accra Sports Stadium in a very dicey encounter. Kotoko were 1-0 winners in the first round, courtesy Osman Ibrahim’s solitary strike – but this time under a new gaffer Mariano Barreto. The Porcupine Warriors would be aiming to continue their dominance and find their winning spot on after they picked up their first lost after four games into the second round, following a 2-1 comeback win for Medeama SC.
Gradually moving out of the danger zone, the Royals could use this test to seal a crucial win and ensure they move from the relegation zone and secure a comfortable spot on the table. Struggling King Faisal will welcome fifth-placed Karela United to the Ohene Ameyaw Park tomorrow in a very crucial game where King Faisal should fancy their chances and secure a win to move them above 16th-placed Eleven Wonders.
Karela have failed to pick a single win in the last four games and will be aiming to return to winning ways.
Leaders Medeama will play as hosts to tricky Ebusua Dwarfs at the Akoon Park in Tarkwa as a win for the Yellow and Mauve lads will keep their pace for the title and extend the points. Should Dwarfs seal a victory, they will move from 11th to a mid-table spot.
Great Olympics will welcome Liberty Professionals to the Accra Sports Stadium tomorrow with both sides aiming to secure a win.
Elmina Sharks will battle it out with Ashantigold in a very fearsome encounter at the Nduom Park tomorrow.
Aduana Stars will square off with Eleven Wonders in a very cagey affair today in Techiman.
Bottom-placed Inter Allies will have a huge mountain to climb tomorrow when they travel hours to face Bechem United at the Bechem Park.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
Otto Addo is taking a calm and focused approach to the World Cup after being drawn against England, Panama, and Croatia in Group L.
“I look forward to every game as special,” he told ghanafa.org.
“Very important for us that we don’t underrate any team. For sure, England is the favourite in that group,” he acknowledged. “But for me as a coach, to be honest, I’m looking at each and every game equally.”
Addo is particularly focused on getting a strong start against Panama. “I’m hoping that we have a good start against Panama, that will be very, very crucial,” he said. “It will make the other games a little bit more relaxed and easier for the players psychologically. We will use the window of March for test matches, and then see,” he said.
Despite being a young team, Addo is proud of his squad’s progress. “I think we did very well in the qualifiers ” he said. “We didn’t lose a single official game, like the qualifying games, we did very well. We just played one draw and the rest we won, so we had quite a good year in 2025, after a bad year in 2024’’.
“Even though we have a very young team, we really, really did well, had a good harmony in the team, good union,” he added.
Ghana will open their FIFA World Cup campaign against Panama in Toronto on June 17 before facing England and Croatia in the other Group L matches on June 23 and 27 respectively.
The unbeaten away run of Accra Hearts of Oak will be put to the test tomorrow when they visit the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale to play as guests of Karela United. Described as one of the top-liners of the weekend games, the match will pitch one of the best home teams against the best away team, with their records on the line.
After playing a pulsating 2-2 draw with Kumasi Asante Kotoko last week, league leaders Medeama SC return to their fortress, the TnA Stadium, to welcome Berekum Chelsea FC in a clash of former league winners. Medeama have struggled in recent times to hold their own against the ‘Bibires’, losing their last four games both home and away.
However, according to Head Coach of Medeama, Tanko Ibrahim, that sequence of results will come to an end tomorrow as they look to crawl out of the claws of their opponents with victory. Eleven points separate the sides, with Berekum Chelsea lying a distant 14th position on the log. They have been a pale shadow of themselves this season, and it remains to be seen if Coach Samuel Boadu’s side can keep the bragging rights over the Yellow and Mauves in what has been described as one of their worse starts to a league season.
Today, second-placed Kpando Heart of Lions will trek to the Kwame Kyei Sports Complex in Abrankese to play as guests of struggling Nations FC. Having suffered a 1-0 away loss to Basake Holy Stars in their last game, Nations FC would look to pick all three points to better their current 12th position.
In other games, the Hohoe Sports Stadium will come alive as new boys Hohoe United FC welcome Kumasi Asante Kotoko. The Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex in Tema will host the Vision FC versus Young Apostles FC game, the Tuba Astro Turf will host the Dreams FC versus Bechem United FC clash, while the Nsenkyire Sports Arena will host the Samartex FC versus Bibiani Gold Stars game. High-riding Aduana FC will sort things out with Basake Holy Stars at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park in Dormaa.
By Raymond Ackumey
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
