Sports
Hearts, Kotoko hunt for win
Accra Hearts of Oak will continue their hunt for a win when they welcome GoldStars to the Accra Sports Stadium today in a match-day four clash in the 2022/23 betPawa Premier League.
Still winless in their first three games – settling on two draws against Great Olympics and Asante Kotoko and defeat to Aduana Stars on opening day, the Phobians will have a huge task to accomplish against the side who managed to beat Bechem United 1-0 last weekend – despite defeats to Nsoatreman and Dreams.
The 21-time Ghana champions will be without Coach Samuel Boadu who vacated his role together with his two assistants on Tuesday.
However, coach of Hearts’ junior team – Auroras, Samuel Nii Noi, will stand in for Boadu, who brought joy to the Hearts fraternity by winning five trophies (league title, two FA Cups and two President’s Cup) during his two-year stay.
Much will be expected from the interim coach in the coming days as Hearts hope to turn things around before a new coach is announced.
At the Baba Yara Sports on Sunday, the rivalry between Asante Kotoko and King Faisal will be renewed when the ‘Insha’ Allah boys host the Porcupine Warriors in a cagey encounter.
Kotoko is yet to replicate the blistering form from last season following their abysmal performance in the CAF Champions League which saw the reigning Ghana champions exit from the first preliminary round.
They were denied their first win in the league following a late equaliser from Hearts last week in the Super Clash.
Faisal have been poor in recent form with three straight defeats to Aduana Stars, Berekum Chelsea and Great Olympics and would love to use this test to bounce back. Can they?
The action continues tomorrow at the Dawu Theatre of Dreams when Accra Lions, led by Coach Ibrahim Tanko, make a trip to face Dreams.
Legon Cities will be at the El-Wak Sports Stadium to play host to Berekum Chelsea on Sunday.
It will be tough one between Medeama SC and Aduana Stars at the Tarkwa Akoon Park in the Bono derby tomorrow.
Kobby Mensah’s Karela United will make a trip to Nsoatre to face debutants Nsoatreman in a cracker on Sunday.
Coach Annor Walker will welcome his former club, Accra Great Olympics when Samartex 1996 host the ‘Dade’ boys at Samreboi on Monday while Tamale City lock horns with Real Tamale United (RTU) same day in the Northern derby.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has introduced minimum monthly salaries for players in the Ghana Premier League (GPL), Division One League (DOL), and the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
According to the Association, the move is part of efforts to improve the welfare of footballers and make Ghana’s domestic leagues more professional and competitive.
The decision follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the GFA and the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG) ahead of the Association’s last Congress.
One key outcome of that partnership was the introduction of a standard contract for professional players, which has already been implemented by Premier League clubs.
After further discussions with the clubs, the GFA and its partners agreed that players in the Ghana Premier League will now earn a minimum net monthly salary of GHS 1,500.
Players in the Division One League and the Women’s Premier League will each receive a minimum of GHS 700.
The new salary structure will apply to all contracts signed during the next registration window. However, for players already under contract, the new rates will take effect at the start of the 2026/2027 league season.
The GFA explained that the introduction of minimum salaries is a major step toward protecting the welfare of players and ensuring fair compensation for their talent and hard work.
It added that the decision is aimed at raising standards in local leagues, strengthening the value of Ghanaian football, and creating a more professional and sustainable future for players and clubs.
Attention will be at the Golden City Park in Berekum tomorrow as Hearts of Oak lock horns with Berekum Chelsea FC in a Ghana Premier League Matchday 6 game that promises an electrifying atmosphere.
Lying sixth on the league table with two wins and three draws, the Phobians visit a ground that has been favourable to them in recent times. In their last three visits to the Golden City Park, Hearts have amassed seven out of nine points, putting them in strong contention to win.
Head Coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani says, “The team is making progress in its tactical identity despite the lack of goals, and this is something we are working on ahead of this game.”
Hearts will come face-to-face with former coach Samuel Boadu, whose side lies a distant 13th on the league table with a win and a draw from four games. Coach Boadu is yet to celebrate a victory over the Phobians since joining the Berekum lads and would hope this fixture marks a turnaround.
Ninth-placed Vision FC would trek to the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem to play Bechem United, while new boys Hohoe United host Aduana FC at the Hohoe Sports Stadium.
Returnees Swedru All Blacks will welcome Basake Holy Stars to the Swedru Sports Stadium, with defending league champions Bibiani Gold Stars staying put at their backyard, the Dun’s Park, to welcome second-placed Heart of Lions FC on Monday.
Today at the TnA Stadium in Tarkwa, Medeama SC will clash with Samartex FC in a Western derby. Other games scheduled for today would see Eleven Wonders FC host Karela United at the Swedru Sports Stadium, while Dreams FC face Nations FC at the Tuba Astro Turf.
By Raymond Ackumey
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