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
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.
