Sports
Hearts oblige Medeama to sizzling clash
Salifu Ibrahim – Hearts
Accra Hearts of Oak will square off with Medeama SC in the top-liner match-day 31 betPawa Ghana Premier League (GPL) fixture tomorrow at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Phobians must pull out an extraordinary performance in a bid to expel the inconsistent plague that has almost demolished their title ambitions this season.
They come up against a very tough challenge from second-placed Medeama, who seem to be well-positioned to beat Aduana to the league title with four games to go.
Hearts, currently fifth on the league table, must also secure all three points to move back into top-four and close the seven-point gap at the summit.
The Phobians bounced back to winning ways after a couple of defeats only to be beaten by Samartex in their last game going into the clash against Medeama.
The likes of KwadwoObeng Jnr, Linda Mtange and Samuel Inkoom must come to the party to guide the Phobians to a victory against a very resolute Medeama side.
Medeama, however, would be seeking revenge following their 1-0 defeat to Hearts in the first leg encounter.
The visitors should also be beaming with confidence after defeating Bechem United in their last encounter to move to closer to the league title and mount pressure on leaders Aduana.
With just two points separating them from Aduana, a win for Medeama could move them to the summit, should the league leaders slip in their game against Accra Lions.
Both teams are desperate for all three points and therefore expected to serve fans with some delightful football as the league season is gradually getting to its climax.
In other games, Dreams FC face off with Berekum Chelsea at Dawu, while BibianiGoldstars and Tamale City clash at Bibiani in their quest to play elite football next season.
Nsoatreman and Real Tamale United (RTU) battle it out at Nsoatre in another cagey encounter, while Bechem United are hoping to return to winning ways when they play Legon Cities who also need all three points to survive.
Elsewhere, Karela host Accra Great Olympics with the visitors needing all three points to find their way out of relegation, while another relegation-threatened Tamale King Faisal would play Samartex.
Kotoko Royals also need to upset Kumasi Asante Kotoko to walk away with all three points, while Accra Lions square off with league leaders Aduana Stars in another mouthwatering fixture.
BY MICHAEL D. ABAYATEYE
Sports
Black Starlets arrives in Morocco on U-17 AFCON mission …FA boss charges team to make Ghana proud
The Black Starlets, the national U-17 male team, have safely arrived in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team departed Accra on Wednesday, travelling with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.
They completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.
The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, was present at the Accra International Airport to bid farewell to the team.
Speaking during a brief farewell at the Airport, the FA President urged the team to carry a ‘never say die’ spirit into the competition.
President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity, particularly in difficult moments during matches. His message was inspired by the team’s recent friendly encounters against Cote d’Ivoire, where they bounced back strongly after an initial defeat.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Cote d’Ivoire in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to bounce back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” he said. “I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added.
The FA president stressed that the ability to respond positively to setbacks would be crucial in a tournament as competitive as the AFCON.
He encouraged the players to stay united and support one another when the pressure intensifies on the continental stage.
“When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together,” Okraku added. “So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, with their opening match scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-three (23) players have been called up for this month’s international friendly against Mexico.
The squad is composed of star players from the domestic league and European leagues who are closely monitored by Coach Carlos Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers.
Notable names include Majeed Ashimeru, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson, and Birmingham City’s Ibrahim Osman.
Ashimeru returns to action after a long spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury that limited his appearances at both club and national level.
Also in the team is Felix Afena-Gyan, whose last appearance for Ghana was in May last year when he featured against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Étienne, Ibrahim Osman of Birmingham City, and Paul Reverson of Ajax FC have also been included in the squad.
Midfielder Salim Adams, one of the key players for Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC, leads the group of home-based players.
Others are Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, Ebenezer Adade of Dreams FC, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson. Ghana will travel to Mexico for the international friendly on Friday, May 22, 2026.
