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
Captain of Ghana’s National U-15 Boys team, Abdul Aziz Issa, says the exposure gained at the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival 2026 in Azerbaijan will be vital for the development of the squad.
Ghana finished 7th out of 189 countries after an impressive campaign, winning eight of ten matches.
“I think we played well, the exposure was good for our development, and we can’t thank FIFA and the GFA enough for this amazing platform,” Issa said.
“I’m so very happy to be part of this FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival 2026 in Azerbaijan. I want to thank my colleagues for how far we have brought Ghana in this tournament.”
The captain believes the experience will prepare the group for future challenges at U-17 and U-20 level.
Ghana enjoyed an outstanding tournament, scoring 44 goals and establishing themselves among the top seven teams.
Their dominant group stage saw them score 27 goals while conceding just three. Salifu Fatawu’s side opened with a commanding 4-1 win over Uzbekistan, thrashed Myanmar 7-1, recorded emphatic 7-0 wins over Guam and the Bahamas, before rounding off the group with a 2-1 triumph over Kazakhstan.
Their pursuit of a higher finish suffered a setback in the knockout phase after elimination by Paraguay in a dramatic encounter.
The team bounced back to finish 7th, including a commanding 4-0 victory over Colombia in their final game, despite suffering a 7-1 defeat to Brazil in the Tier A Ranking Play-Offs.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Spanish Police have opened an investigation into the death of CD Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel following his on-field collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono.
The 30-year-old forward died on Tuesday, November 3, at age 30, after suffering a cardiorespiratory arrest during a LaLiga 2 match at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López on Monday. f350
According to police sources cited by EFE, the case is under judicial supervision. The incident occurred in stoppage time when Owono rushed out of his penalty area to challenge for a long ball near midfield and collided heavily with De Miguel, striking him in the chest. The goalkeeper was shown a straight red card.
De Miguel was taken to Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria where he remained in intensive care until his death on Tuesday morning. CD Tenerife confirmed the passing in a statement: “Racked with pain… we communicate the tragic passing… of Jesús de Miguel Alameda”.
The National Police’s Homicide Group in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is leading the inquiry. Judicial authorities in the Canary Islands clarified that such an investigation is automatically opened whenever a death occurs from non-natural causes and does not by itself establish criminal responsibility.
While reports indicate police are examining possible involuntary manslaughter under Article 142 of Spain’s Penal Code, chief prosecutor José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui believes it is highly unlikely that criminal proceedings will be brought because the collision occurred during normal play.
Authorities will review the referee’s match report, match footage, medical reports and the findings of the sports disciplinary committee to determine whether the challenge constituted dangerous play.
For now, no judicial ruling has established criminal responsibility on the part of the Andorra goalkeeper and the investigation remains open as Spanish football mourns De Miguel.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
