Sports
Hearts, Kotoko, Oly, Karela poised for second round action
After close to a month’s break, the Ghana Premier League (GPL) will resume tomorrow with other thrilling fixtures across the venues taking place at the weekend.
Tomorrow’s encounter will see second-placed Accra Great Olympics, led by star player and captain, Gladson Awako, welcome Medeama SC to the Accra stadium, expecting to garner the maximum points
On Sunday, third-placed Hearts of Oak will play host to seventh-placed Aduana Stars at the Accra Sports Stadium in a late kick-off (6pm). The Phobians crashed 2-0 when they last visited Dormaa in December and will be eager to make amends.
The visitors will have a daunting task as they have also augmented their squad but will also miss the services of dependable centre-back Caleb Amankwah, Paul Aidoo, Justice Anane and a few others.
Kotoko will have a stiff contest when they travel to Techiman on Saturday to face Eleven Wonders. It will be the first test for new gaffer Mariano Barreto who is expected to stir the affairs of the club after agreeing a year-and-half deal with the Porcupine Warriors.
With a game at hand against Bechem United, Kotoko will be eager to begin the second round on a good note as new signings Andy Kumi, Solomon Sarfo Taylor and Brazilian import Michael Vinicius will be hoping to make an impact with the club eager to win the ultimate.
Wonders, on the other hand, will miss the services of talisman Salifu Ibrahim who left to join Hearts before the end of the first round. Coach Ignatius Ofosu and his charges might want to defy all odds to silence the visitors at their home ground.
League leaders Karela United will welcome AshantiGold SC to the CAM Park in a cracking affair as the leaders go all out to continue their fine form against the Miners who dropped from title-contending slot to fall in mid-table position. It will be the first test for Ashgold’s new gaffer Romain Folz, who replaced the ailing Milovan Cirkovic.
At the Theatre of Dreams in Dawu, high-flying Dreams will square off with struggling Inter Allies on Sunday.
Allies will be counting on returnee Gockel Ahortor, and Samuel Armah who had a short spell in Albania and returned to grab his first goal for his side in their 1-2 defeat to Aduana Stars on match day 16 in Dormaa.
King Faisal are ready to prove a point when they welcome WAFA SC to the Nana Agyemang Park in Techiman.
Being the busiest in the just-ended transfer market, the ‘Insha Allah’ boys have added close to 10 players ahead of the second round but will also have Kasim Gokyildiz as the new coach after parting ways with Andy Sinason.
Poor performing Liberty Professionals will travel to the Nana Gyebour Park in Bechem to face Bechem United on Sunday.
At the Ndoum Park in Elmina on Sunday, Sharks will welcome tricky Ebusua Dwarfs in a very cagey encounter.
Two struggling sides: Twelfth-placed Berekum Chelsea will square off with 15th-placed Legon Cities at the Golden City Park.
LINUS SIAW NARTEY
Sports
Benjamin Asare’s call-up inspires local players – Osei Asibey
Hearts of Oak defender, Osei Asibey, has acknowledged that the call-up of Benjamin Asare, the current number one goalkeeper of the Ghana Black Stars, has given confidence to many local players to work hard.
Asibey explained that playing for the senior national team is time-based, and at the right time, every local player will get their chance.
“The Black Stars belong to Ghanaians, and everybody will get the chance to play for the Black Stars when the time is right. Benjamin Asare is a local player, and he has gotten the chance. I’m sure when it is our time, the country would call us to serve,” he asserted
Osei Asibey added that Asare’s achievement shows that with hard work, local players can also receive Black Stars call-ups.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Sports
World Cup Qualifiers: Ghana beats Mali to boost qualification hopes
The Ghana Black Stars on Monday evening secured a vital 1–0 win over Mali in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, a result that strengthens their chances of booking a ticket to the 2026 tournament.
The Match
The only goal of the game came in the 52nd minute when Alexander Djiku powered home a header to put Ghana ahead at the charged Accra Sports Stadium.
Ghana dominated possession and created more chances, with Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus troubling the Malian defense.
Coach Otto Addo’s side managed the game well, with substitutes, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Iñaki Williams and Joseph Paintsil helping to protect the narrow lead.
Mali pushed for an equalizer but Ghana’s defense held firm until the final whistle.
What the win means
The victory takes Ghana to the top of their qualifying group, giving them a strong advantage in the race to secure a direct World Cup spot.
It also boosts team confidence as the Black Stars aim to make their fifth appearance at the global showpiece.
Games Remaining and Qualification Path
Ghana now has two games left in the qualifiers. To qualify directly, they must finish first in their group.
If they end up second, they will have to compete in the CAF play-offs to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
About the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The next FIFA World Cup will kick off on June 11, 2026, and run until July 19, 2026. For the first time in history, the tournament will feature 48 teams, an expansion from the usual 32.
It will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with matches spread across 16 cities.
By: Jacob Aggrey
