Sports
Hearts, Kotoko aim to bounce back in second round
ASANTE Kotoko will open their second round campaign tomorrow when they clash with Dreams FC at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in the Ghana Premier League (GPL) match-day 18 fixture.
Ending their last game in the first round in a 0-0 stalemate with arch-rivals Hearts of Oak last weekend, the Porcupine Warriors will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways.
Last season’s runners-up rallied from behind to record an emphatic 3-1 over Dreams on match-day one with goals from Mudasiru Salifu, Richard Lamptey and Isaac Oppong giving Kotoko their first three points before the latter scored first through Issahaku Fatawu.
Revenge would, therefore, be stuck on the minds of ninth-placed Dreams who will miss the services of star-man Issahaku Fatawu, the goal-getter having joined Portuguese Club Sporting Lisbon, weeks ago.
At the El-Wak Sports Stadium today, reigning champions Hearts of Oak will face a tough task against Legon Cities in the second round after a 0-0 draw at the Accra Sports Stadium in the first round.
With pressure gradually mounting on trainer Samuel Boadu after his side’s ‘wasteful’ display against Kotoko last weekend, the former Medeama SC gaffer has targeted an improved performance in the second round against the Royals who are keen on escaping relegation after finishing 15th in the first round with 19 points.
Tomorrow at the Nduom Park, relegation-threatened Elmina Sharks will host debutants Accra Lions as the Obuasi-based Ashantigold SC will welcome Eleven Wonders to the Len Clay Stadium same day.
Second-placed Bechem United will make a trip to the Tarkwa T&N Park to lock horns with Medeama on Sunday, whilst at the Accra Sports Stadium same day, high-performing Great Olympics will battle it out with Real Tamale United (RTU) on Monday.
Bottom-placed WAFA will face a tough contest against impressive King Faisal at the Sogakope Red Bull Arena tomorrow.
Fourth-positioned Aduana Stars will square off with Karela United in a dicey clash at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park tomorrow before newbies Gold Stars play as guest of Berekum Chelsea at the Golden City Park tomorrow to climax the opening round fixtures of the second half.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
Officials from the Ghana mission in the United Arab Emirates have paid a morale-boosting visit to the camp of the Black Queens.
The delegation, made up of Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto, Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai and Head of Transport Anas Shaibu, visited the team to assure them of the government’s support and commitment to their safety and welfare.
During the visit, the officials interacted with the team and offered words of encouragement, urging the team to remain focused on the tournament despite concerns surrounding unrest in parts of the UAE.
Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto emphasised that the Ghanaian government, through its diplomatic mission, is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to ensuring the team’s safety throughout their stay.
“We want the team to stay calm and focus on the competition. The government and the embassy are doing everything possible to ensure your safety and well-being.” he said.
Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai also reiterated the mission’s readiness to provide any assistance required by the team during the tournament.
Leadership of the team expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as timely and motivating.
With the backing of Ghana’s diplomatic officials in the UAE, the Black Queens remain determined to represent the country proudly and deliver strong performances in the Pink Ladies Cup.
The Black Queens have arrived in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the upcoming Pink Ladies Cup in Dubai. The team touched down at the Dubai International Airport via Emirates Air on Wednesday morning and were warmly received by the competition’s organising officials.
The squad will be based at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, where they will begin their final preparations for the tournament. Organised as part of the international women’s football calendar, the Pink Ladies Cup is expected to feature four national sides using the competition to assess their squads and fine-tune strategies for upcoming tournaments.
Ghana will open their campaign today with a clash against Hong Kong, while Russia and Tanzania face off in the other opening match.
The Black Queens are then scheduled to return to action on March 3, when they take on Russia in a match expected to test them against a physically strong opponent.
The final round of games will be played on March 6, with Ghana closing their campaign against Tanzania at 9:00 pm.
With three matches in eight days, the tournament promises to be a crucial phase in Ghana’s preparation, as the Black Queens aim to return to continental action sharper, stronger, and more competitive.
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