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Hearts, Kotoko clash over bragging rights
Kumasi Asante Kotoko will be hoping to exact revenge on arch-rivals Accra Hearts of Oak when the two sides renew their edgy confrontations tomorrow at the Accra Sports Stadium in Ghana football’s ‘Super Clash’, as they honour an outstanding matchday seven fixture of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).
Last season’s title-defining clash on matchday 31 ended with a sublime Daniel Afriyie Barnieh lone-goal eventually handing the league trophy to the Phobians, ending their 12-year chase for the most coveted prize on the domestic football scene.
At the opposite side, it turned out to be an ego-crushing loss for the ‘Porcupine Warriors’ who never got their acts together as their season crumbled afterwards settling for second position on the league log.
This feat etched Hearts coach, Samuel Boadi as a cult figure and a gaffer marked for great exploits at the club as he added the Football Association (FA) Cup to Hearts’ collection last season.
Fast forward to the end of a new season and the tables have turned drastically; Kotoko are flourishing under new trainer, Dr Prosper Nartey Ogum. They lead the chasing pack at the end of the first round with 36 points, six points adrift closest contenders Bechem United who have amassed 30 points.
Meanwhile, Hearts are languishing at eighth position on the log with 24 points and their chances of defending their status quo as champions slipping away as the weeks roll-on.
Coach Boadu now feels the tide turning against him, the love dissipating, especially when his side cracked against Regional foes, Great Olympics recently, in their derby clash, submiting to a 1-0 loss to the ‘Wonder Club’ thus suffering their first home loss of the season and a winless run against Olympics in three outings.
Against this backdrop, coach Boadu is cognisant that a win, no matter its shape or form in this epic clash, will buy him some goodwill and maybe the required trigger needed to transform his side’s season fortunes.
But to achieve this, he needs his best guys to show up. Cringing at the absence of nimble-footed winger Ibrahim Sulley, he has captain Fatawu Mohammed, forward Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, creative force Awako Gladson, striker Kofi Kordzi, Salim Adams, Kojo Obeng Jnr, Isaac Mensah and Black Stars goalie, Richard Attah to count on to deliver a five-star performance whilst veteran Sulley Muntari is expected to provide the necessary inspiration needed for such a high-stake encounter.
Just like Boadu, much would be in play for Kotoko gaffer, Dr Ogum, who would be eager to deepen his affection among the Kotoko faithful –
wary that a win against Hearts would be a masterstroke in attaining that.
It would also be to prove that his side’s 3-2 defeat to King Faisal in the regional derby earlier in the season at the Baba Yara was just a mild setback and that he was up to the task of delivering the needed results against the ‘big boys.’
Despite the absence of injured influencial players, playmaker Brazilian Fabio Gama, young prodigy Isaac Oppong and Ieft-back Ibrahim Imoro out due to suspension, the talent at Dr Ogum’s disposal is still shockingly hard to pick from.
From the league top scorer Franck Etouga and his Cameroonian campatriot George’s Mfegue who boast a combined 15 goals, to midfielders Richard Lamptey, Sheriff Mohammed, Mudasiru Salifu, Justice Blay, Richard Boadu, to the defensive unit of captain Ismail Ganiu and Yusif Mubarik, Coach Ogum has the ensemble of a star-studded cast that can deliver a top performance to make their revenge mission a reality.
BY NANA BENTSI ODURO
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has opened applications for members interested in contesting as its parliamentary candidates in the 2028 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the party said interested members must declare their intention to contest between Sunday, November 1, and Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
According to the statement signed by the party’s Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, prospective candidates must complete an online form within the specified period.
The party said a non-refundable application fee of GH¢5,000 would be charged to each prospective candidate.
It added that all applicants would undergo vetting and screening to determine their eligibility to contest on the party’s ticket.
The NPP announced plans to organise capacity-building workshops for prospective candidates in December 2026. The workshops will be held across the Northern, Middle and Southern zones, with details of the venues to be announced later.
The party stressed that the guidelines would apply to all prospective candidates, including sitting NPP Members of Parliament who wish to contest again.
It further warned aspirants against starting campaign activities following the opening of the application process.
According to the statement, the existing directive prohibiting campaign activities remains in force until the party gives official clearance.
It cautioned that anyone who violates the directive would face appropriate sanctions under the party’s constitution and regulations.
The NPP said the process was designed to promote fairness, transparency and equal opportunities for all aspirants as it prepares to select candidates for all 276 constituencies ahead of the 2028 elections.
It urged prospective candidates to follow the guidelines and conduct themselves with discipline and respect for one another throughout the process.
The party said its broader objective was to strengthen unity within its ranks and rebuild public confidence ahead of the 2028 general elections.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Firefighters from the Upper West Regional Command have responded to a vehicular incident involving a long vehicle carrying 35 Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC totes) reportedly containing hydrogen peroxide at Goriyiri in the Nadowli-Kaleo District.
The five-member crew, led by ASTNO Balagee, reported to the scene where a fire and an explosion had reportedly occurred.
The firefighters assessed the scene, identified the chemical hazards and implemented appropriate response measures, bringing the situation under control.
The driver reportedly sustained severe chemical burns and was transported to the hospital for treatment.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
