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
Black Starlets midfielder Eric Adu Gyamfi has been named Man of the Match following his outstanding performance in Ghana’s 2-2 draw against Algeria in their opening Group D game at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026.
The talented youngster delivered a memorable display and capped it with a sensational goal that will surely be remembered as one of the finest strikes of the tournament so far.
After Ghana had taken an early lead through Isaac Barfo in the second minute, Eric Adu Gyamfi doubled the advantage in spectacular fashion on the 10th minute with an audacious long-range volley from the center area that left the Algerian goalkeeper helpless.
His energy, creativity and composure in midfield played a major role in Ghana’s bright start as the Black Starlets dominated large spells of the first half and created several scoring opportunities. The midfielder consistently troubled the Algerian defense with his movement and passing while also contributing defensively whenever the team lost possession.
Despite Ghana surrendering their two-goal lead in the second half, Eric Adu Gyamfi’s individual brilliance stood out throughout the contest and earned him the deserved recognition after the final whistle.
The Black Starlets looked on course for victory after a commanding opening half, but Algeria fought back strongly after the break to score twice before missing a late penalty that could have completed the comeback.
Ghana will now turn attention to their crucial second group game against Senegal on May 17, with the Black Starlets hoping to build on the positives from their opening performance and strengthen their chances of progressing to the next stage of the competition.
GFA COMMUNICATIONS
Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo has been named on the official eight-man shortlist for the 2025/26 Premier League Player of the Season award.
The Ghana international is nominated alongside his City teammate Erling Haaland, Manchester United talisman Bruno Fernandes, Arsenal trio Gabriel Magalhães, David Raya, and Declan Rice, Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White, and Brentford striker Igor Thiago.
A season of high-profile excellence, Semenyo earns his spot on the prestigious shortlist following a stunning breakthrough year where he registered 16 goals and four assists in 35 Premier League appearances.
The 26-year-old split his highly productive campaign between two clubs, starting the season in electric form for AFC Bournemouth before securing a high-profile £64 million transfer to Manchester City in January 2026.
The versatile attacker adapted instantly to life under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
He won the February EA SPORTS Player of the Month award after netting three goals in his first five games for City, and most recently opened the scoring in a 3-0 midweek victory over Crystal Palace.
Elite Competition for the Top PrizeThe Premier League confirmed that the winner will be decided by combining a public fan vote with the choices of an expert football panel.
Semenyo faces incredibly stiff competition from the other seven nominees who have dominated the 2025/26 landscape:
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