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
Ghana will face Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia and Somalia in Group C of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The draw was held on Tuesday in Cairo, where African nations learned their routes to the continental tournament.
Two teams will qualify from each of the 12 groups of four for the finals. The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda — the first East African co-hosting arrangement in the competition’s history.
Ghana head into the qualifiers targeting one of the two slots from Group C after missing out on the previous edition in Morocco.
Qualifying schedule:
Matchdays 1 & 2: September 21 – October 6, 2026
Matchdays 3 & 4: November 9 – 17, 2026
Matchdays 5 & 6: March 22 – 30, 2027
Black Stars assistant coach Roger De Sá says joining Carlos Queiroz’s technical team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was a no-brainer.
Speaking on Beyond The Whistle, the South African revealed Queiroz’s call was no surprise given their long-standing relationship and shared ambition.
“The call from Carlos did not surprise me. We have similar dreams and I always want to see him succeed,” De Sá said.
For the experienced coach, Ghana’s pedigree made the decision easy.
“Being called to assist Carlos was not difficult. This is Ghana and it’s the World Cup we are talking about,” he stated.
De Sá recalled the moment Queiroz rang: “It was an exciting 3am call. I told my wife first and, as custom, she said, ‘We are leaving.’ I replied, ‘Let’s go!’”
He praised Queiroz’s collaborative style: “Carlos listens. He doesn’t have to take every opinion, but he welcomes different views.”
Back in Africa, De Sá said the feeling was special. “It’s great to be back. Africa is not a place, it’s a feeling.”
The former Bafana Bafana assistant was full of praise for Ghana’s talent pool.
“There is so much natural talent in Ghana despite limited resources. As an African football lover, the talent here is unbelievable. You guys don’t know what you have with limited facilities and infrastructure,” he said.
Comparing both nations, De Sá noted: “We in South Africa have talent too, but a different kind with all the facilities. Yet we don’t go forward with our talent.”
Ahead of the World Cup, he believes the Black Stars only need unity.
“We are not going to teach them how to play. We have the players. We only have to put them in the right position, with the right frame of mind, and when they put on the jersey, they should perform.”
De Sá assured Ghanaians of the technical team’s commitment.
“We are here to do our best and make Ghanaians happy. If Carlos does his job, there is none better than him,” he said.
“We will pick our targets as they come. If our players play to their abilities, we have a realistic chance to progress,” he concluded.
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