Sports
Hearts face Medeama in must-win battle
Hearts of Oak head coach Samuel Boadu will collide with former side Medeama SC, tomorrow in a must-win week 29 league fixture at the Accra Sports Stadium as they look to quickly rebound from their disappointing 1-1 stalemate against regional rivals Accra Great Olympics on Sunday.
Now pegged on 50 points apiece with arch-rivals Asante Kotoko, Boadu knows that any further slip will prove costly to his dream of leading the Phobians to their first title win in 13 years.
Boadu, who crossed carpet from the Tarkwa-based side to Hearts last March, instantaneously ignited a winning spirit in the Phobians – transforming the team to serious title contenders within a short span.
To add to his growing popularity amongst the fan base, Boadu is cognisant of the fact that masterminding wins over elite clubs like Medeama – to keep his side’s dream on track, is a sure way to increase his increasing stature and affection.
To hatch a winning plan against the team he nurtured for three seasons, Boadu is wary of the pool of midfield talent the visitors possess and how that could turn out to be the decider. Luckily, he has Benjamin Afutu and Emmanuel Nettey in stunning form to combat the marauding threats of Rashid Nortey and Richard Boadi in Medeama’s colours.
Medeama coach Yaw Preko, who also had coaching stints with the Phobians in the 2015-2016 season as an assistant, also harbours ideas of his own, after declaring his side’s readiness to ‘coup’ the title and determination to capture the three points to close-in on the host at the summit from their third position on the standings.
Fourth-placed Olympics will trek to the Ohene Ameyaw Park at Techiman to face troubled King Faisal. The home side, who in recent games seemed on course with their relegation pushback, have slumped in recent games and must produce something magical to topple their formidable visitors, who are chasing their first league triumph in 47 years.
In other fixtures tomorrow, sixth-placed Karela United would be eager to make a return to the top-four places when they host an in-form Legon Cities at the Anyinase CAM Park, whilst seventh-placed WAFA who lost their local derby against Liberty Professionals, will be hoping to get back to winning ways against fifth-placed Dreams FC – the league’s highest scoring team.
At Bechem, Bechem United will be eager to end their horrific five-game winless streak against Berekum Chelsea in a Brong Ahafo derby, whilst Aduana Stars host relegation battlers Liberty Professionals at their dreaded Nana Agyemang Badu Park where they remain unbeaten in 13 encounters.
At the Obuasi Len Clay, struggling AshantiGold will be aiming for a first win in three attempts against Ebusua Dwarfs, who have exhibited a penchant to pull surprises away from the Cape Coast Stadium this season. Elmina Sharks, who have now descended into the relegation pit, confront 14th-placed Eleven Wonders – who are fighting vigorously to steer clear of the drop zone.
On Monday, second-placed Asante Kotoko will continue their push for the title against bottom-placed Inter-Allies at the Dawu Theatre of Dreams.
BY NANA BENTSI ODURO
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
