Sports
Hearts eager to break Aduana Stars in Accra
• Sam Adams – Aduana forward
The Accra Sports Stadium will be fired up tomorrow when Hearts of Oak welcome league leaders, Aduana Stars to a tantalising betPawa Premier League match-day 18 clash.
The first round saw the visitors snatch a narrow 1-0 victory over the 10-man Phobians under the former Coach Samuel Boadu on match-day one.
Former forward Bright Adjei scored the only goal for the ‘Ogya’ lads at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park.
In their last meeting, Hearts recorded a 3-1 victory over Berekum Chelsea at home and will aim to continue their fine form, despite conceding one defeat on home soil against Bechem United which ended 2-1.
The game will provide Hearts with a huge advantage to close up the gap, should they emerge victors.
Aduana Stars are undoubtedly the side with the best away record, having lost three, won won four and drawn two.
Despite top scorer Bright Adjei moving to Tanzania, the two-time Premier League winners have been solid with two wins and two draws in their last four outings.
Tipped as favourites for the title, Coach Paa Kwesi Fabin will count on the individual brilliance of Justice Torsutsey, Sam Adams, Adom Frimpong among others to pull the strings when it gets tougher.
Reigning champions Asante Kotoko will make a trip to the Nana Kronmansah Park to face Nsoatreman today in a dicey clash.
Kotoko will need a win to move into the top three after their 2-0 defeat to Dreams FC last weekend saw the Porcupine Warriors fall to fourth on the league log.
High-flying Bechem United will host Accra Great Olympics at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park, while Tamale United welcome struggling Karela United at the Aliu Mahama Stadium on Sunday.
At the Dawu Theatre of Dreams, Dreams FC will hope to make it two straight wins when they lock horns with impressive Gold Stars after they cruised pass Kotoko 2-0.
The Nsenkyire Sports Stadium will see debutants Samartex tussle it out with Real Tamale United while poor performing King Faisal slug it out with Berekum Chelsea to round off the weekend.
Medeama SC and Legon Cities were expected to slot it out at the Akoon Tarkwa stadium yesterday.
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.
