Sports
Hearts, Kotoko battle for supremacy
The Baba Yara Sports Stadium will come alive tomorrow when the two biggest clubs in Ghana, Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko clash in the second leg of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) match week 24 fixture.
For everything positive leaders Kotoko have done so far this season, they start as favourites going into the clash; but most often, games of this nature have been far from just the form of the teams.
The Phobians have managed three wins from their last five games played in the league, amassing 10 points from an available 15, with one draw and a defeat.
Kotoko, on the other hand, have nine points from their last five games (two wins and three draws) and currently 13 points superior to their sworn-rival ahead of tomorrow’s encounter.
In the last league meeting between these two in Accra, defending champions Hearts under Samuel Boadu were held to a disappointing 0-0 by Prosper Ogum’s Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium.
With 11 games to climax the 2021/2022 campaign, there is still a lot to play for and if there is a defeat in this game for either of the sides, Hearts will be the team to feel the aftermath effect as it will further complicate their chances of retaining their title.
The Phobians emerged winners of the (GPL) last season but failed to live up to the spark people were looking forward to see this campaign.
This will be the 110th league meeting between these two sides with Hearts winning (37) while Kotoko have made with 35 – 36 games also ending in a stalemate.
Also in the last five meetings at the Accra Sports Stadium in the top-flight, Kotoko have won three with two going the way of Hearts.
It will also provide another platform for the bragging rights. Prior to joining the Porcupine Warriors, Prosper Ogum Narteh faced Samuel Boadu three times as coach of WAFA, won two and conceded one defeat. Boadu suffered a 5-4 loss as head coach of Medeama to WAFA before meeting Narteh twice as gaffer of Hearts.
Today at the Accra Sports Stadium, debutants Accra Lions will welcome Karela United to the Accra Sports Stadium. Lions lost 2-0 to Karela in the first round and again were defeated by the same score last weekend.
They will hope to bounce back and stabilise a spot on the league, while Karela will also hope to deepen the woes of the home team.
Tomorrow at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium, 13th placed AshantiGold SC will host West Africa Soccer Academy (WAFA).
The Miners were 1-0 winners in their last outing with WAFA, a result they hope to replicate as WAFA will be in search of a win to move out of the relegation zone.
Second-placed Bechem United will lock horns with Gold Stars at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park tomorrow.
Battling Kotoko on a hot chase for the title, the Hunters are yet to be defeated in their last five meetings, winning three and two draws.
Gold Stars managed a narrow 1-0 win against the title contenders in December and they must improve on that if they want to outshine the home team.
Tomorrow, an improved Legon Cities will make a trip to the Golden City Park to face Berekum Chelsea.
With 30 points each between the two sides on eighth and ninth positions respectively, both will aim for a victory – having played out a goalless draw in their last meeting.
Struggling Eleven Wonders will travel on Sunday to square off with Dreams at the Dawu Theatre of Dreams Park. It ended a 1-1 draw between the two clubs when they last met in December.
Wonders won 2-0 over Accra Lions on match day 23 while Dreams will hope to bounce back after their 1-0 defeat to Gold Stars.
Bottom-placed Elmina Sharks will be at the Nduom Park tomorrow to welcome King Faisal. The Sharks are keen on deepening the woes of King Faisal who are winless in their last four games.
Former league champions, Aduana Stars will clash with Accra Great Olympics at the Accra Sports Stadium tomorrow. Aduana is yet to be defeated in their last seven games – and with four wins and three draws, their quest to hustle Kotoko for the title cannot be written off.
Olympics will also have to improve their output after going without a win in their last three games with one draw and two defeats.
Medeama SC will take on Real Tamale United (RTU) tomorrow at the Tarkwa T&N Park to climax the round of games.
Following their stunning 3-2 victory over Berekum Chelsea away, the premier league returnees will be aiming to improve on their last result, while sixth-placed Medeama will need a win to keep them in the title chase.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTE
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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