Sports
Hearts, Kotoko clash for Pres Cup
Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko, will renew their fierce rivalry tomorrow at the Accra Sports Stadium when they clash in the 2025 edition of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) organised President’s Cup at 4pm.
At stake will be a giant trophy plus medals for both teams, to be presented by President John Dramani Mahama, who will be the special guest of honour.
In its 10th year, the annual one-off cup game, played in honour of the sitting President, returns this year after taking an international twist last year when Asante Kotoko hosted Ivorian giants ASEC Mimosas in Kumasi.
The last time the two sides met in 2023, it was the Phobians who emerged victorious for the sixth time, defeating Asante Kotoko 1-0 with a header from defender Konadu Yiadom.
Asante Kotoko comes into the game aiming for revenge although they hold an unprecedented four straight wins over the Phobians in all competitions since last year.
This year’s clash has also taken on a political twist, with politicians from the Ashanti and Greater Accra region, wading into pre-game hostilities.
To this end, the company of the Ashanti Regional Minister, visited the training grounds of Asante Kotoko on Monday and promised a $200 incentive for each goal scored by Asante Kotoko tomorrow.
“We want you to give us five goals. For every goal you score, you will earn $200. We will bring the money to the stadium. If you can score five goals, you will earn $1,000. So, on Sunday, just make sure you beat Hearts of Oak for us,” he told the team.
Although no promises have been made to the Hearts team by the Greater Accra Regional Minister and her mayor, the Phobians will come into the game with renewed hope and energy as the new set of technical heads, led by Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, takes charge of their first game.
The players will be eager to impress their new Head Coach, Didi Dramani, and the fans as they look to deliver yet another memorable performance, especially with a sitting President in attendance.
According to organisers, admission is free for all sections of the stadium except for the VIP and VVIP sections
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
Otto Addo is taking a calm and focused approach to the World Cup after being drawn against England, Panama, and Croatia in Group L.
“I look forward to every game as special,” he told ghanafa.org.
“Very important for us that we don’t underrate any team. For sure, England is the favourite in that group,” he acknowledged. “But for me as a coach, to be honest, I’m looking at each and every game equally.”
Addo is particularly focused on getting a strong start against Panama. “I’m hoping that we have a good start against Panama, that will be very, very crucial,” he said. “It will make the other games a little bit more relaxed and easier for the players psychologically. We will use the window of March for test matches, and then see,” he said.
Despite being a young team, Addo is proud of his squad’s progress. “I think we did very well in the qualifiers ” he said. “We didn’t lose a single official game, like the qualifying games, we did very well. We just played one draw and the rest we won, so we had quite a good year in 2025, after a bad year in 2024’’.
“Even though we have a very young team, we really, really did well, had a good harmony in the team, good union,” he added.
Ghana will open their FIFA World Cup campaign against Panama in Toronto on June 17 before facing England and Croatia in the other Group L matches on June 23 and 27 respectively.
The unbeaten away run of Accra Hearts of Oak will be put to the test tomorrow when they visit the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale to play as guests of Karela United. Described as one of the top-liners of the weekend games, the match will pitch one of the best home teams against the best away team, with their records on the line.
After playing a pulsating 2-2 draw with Kumasi Asante Kotoko last week, league leaders Medeama SC return to their fortress, the TnA Stadium, to welcome Berekum Chelsea FC in a clash of former league winners. Medeama have struggled in recent times to hold their own against the ‘Bibires’, losing their last four games both home and away.
However, according to Head Coach of Medeama, Tanko Ibrahim, that sequence of results will come to an end tomorrow as they look to crawl out of the claws of their opponents with victory. Eleven points separate the sides, with Berekum Chelsea lying a distant 14th position on the log. They have been a pale shadow of themselves this season, and it remains to be seen if Coach Samuel Boadu’s side can keep the bragging rights over the Yellow and Mauves in what has been described as one of their worse starts to a league season.
Today, second-placed Kpando Heart of Lions will trek to the Kwame Kyei Sports Complex in Abrankese to play as guests of struggling Nations FC. Having suffered a 1-0 away loss to Basake Holy Stars in their last game, Nations FC would look to pick all three points to better their current 12th position.
In other games, the Hohoe Sports Stadium will come alive as new boys Hohoe United FC welcome Kumasi Asante Kotoko. The Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex in Tema will host the Vision FC versus Young Apostles FC game, the Tuba Astro Turf will host the Dreams FC versus Bechem United FC clash, while the Nsenkyire Sports Arena will host the Samartex FC versus Bibiani Gold Stars game. High-riding Aduana FC will sort things out with Basake Holy Stars at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park in Dormaa.
By Raymond Ackumey
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