Sports
Hearts poised for season’s double
The 2020/2021 Ghana Premier League (GPL) winners Accra Hearts of Oak will be chasing a double when they clash with AshantiGold in the grand finale of this season’s MTN FA Cup tomorrow at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Phobians would be beaming with confidence as their home venue hosts the final with fans expected to troop to the stadium to cheer the club to another victory.
Hearts also go into the game with the record of the most successful club in the history of the FA Cup with 10 titles as against AshantiGold who only won the competition in 1993.
The Phobians have enjoyed an incredible season and arguably the best team in the country at the moment – are favourites for the FA Cup trophy.
Their resilience showed in the thumping of Medeama in the semi final and are expected to display their outstanding rhythm against their Sunday opponents.
Though AshantiGold also displayed their scoring prowess in their 4-1 extra time victory in the semi finals against Berekum Chelsea, Hearts appear to be the more organised side going into the encounter.
The likes of Daniel Afriyie Barnie, Raddy Ovouka, Benjamin Afutu, Salifu Ibrahim and Emmanuel Nettey would be the key players to ‘do the damage’ for Hearts. Coach Samuel Boadu and his technical team would also be in battle at the touchline, guiding the team to another victory.
AshantiGold, however, will be a hard nut to crack as they would be chasing the trophy for nearly two decades.
The Obuasi side are also chasing CAF Confederations Cup next season and the FA Cup will would be a huge case for the club.
The likes of Eric Esso, David Abagna and Seth Osei would be making things tick for AshantiGold with their usual threat to the backline of their opponents.
Fans from Obuasi would also travel to the capital to witness the finals and support their team to victory.
It promises to be an exciting game as both teams appear to be in good shape and would give fans a lot to cheer about in their quest to win the prestigious MTN FA Cup trophy.
BY MICHAEL D. ABAYATEYE
Football is widely regarded as a sport where teamwork, not always individual brilliance, leads to success. This principle likely underpins the notable confidence expressed by Ghanaian soccer fans following the draw for the FIFA 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
So, despite the not-so-impressive performance of the Black Stars, Ghanaians remain optimistic about the team’s chances.
Last Friday’s draw pitched the Black Stars against England, Croatia, and Panama in a group that has been described in several ways. Some say it is manageable; others believe it is a tricky group, while for some, it represents Ghana’s easiest group compared to previous World Cups attended.
In sampling the views of some soccer fans, one retorted: “This is the best group in our World Cup history. England is no match. We may draw with Croatia and beat Panama. We are the favourites in the group.”
At that point, I conceded the lack of the “technical, or perhaps spiritual, eyes” that allow some fans to reach such confident conclusions about the Black Stars’ prospects.
Taking a closer look at the group, England are, without doubt, the strongest on paper with a fourth-place ranking in the latest FIFA rankings. Croatia follows in 10th position, Panama in 30th, and the Black Stars in 72nd position.
These statistics and several other factors make the fans’ overwhelming confidence appear untenable, and it would be wise to join those urging Team Ghana to tread with caution.
Comparatively, England comes to the table with the strongest team not just by virtue of their ranking. They also boast a squad featuring players from top clubs across the globe. Top performers like Jordan Pickford, Reece James, Marc Guehi, Alexander Trent-Arnold, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Phil Foden, Harry Kane, and others can be identified with the Three Lions.
The Croatians also boast world-class players such as Dominik Livaković, Joško Gvardiol, Luka Modrić, Nikola Vlašić, Andrej Kramarić, Ivan Perišić, Toni Fruk, and many others.
Ghana, however, comes with a talented squad that will depend more on teamwork rather than individual brilliance, which the aforementioned teams could boast of.
With all things working together for the good of the Black Stars, Coach Otto Addo will have the luxury of calling on Thomas Partey, Antoine Semenyo, Alexander Djiku, Mohammed Salisu, Jordan Ayew, Inaki Williams, Benjamin Asare, Mohammed Kudus, Kwesi Sibo, and other emerging talents.
For Panama, they have a virtually unknown squad with players plying their trade in some respectable leagues. In their final qualifier, they featured Marseille right-back Michael Amir Murillo, Norwich City center-back Jose Cordoba, Slovan Bratislava defender Cesar Blackman, Las Palmas midfielder Edward Cedeno, Pumas UNAM playmaker Adalberto Carrasquilla, and San Diego midfielder Anibal Godoy.
Panama comes as the biggest beneficiary of the CONCACAF decision to host the World Cup, granting three automatic qualifications to the USA, Canada, and Mexico. But this does not make them automatic minnows, as many fans might want to believe.
It would be unrealistic to assume that the Black Stars have the men to outshine England or Croatia based purely on individual talents. But since football thrives on teamwork, Panama—and just like Ghana—can dare to dream against the big boys in the group and rewrite their World Cup history.
By Andrew Nortey
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Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko would hope to return to winning ways this weekend following defeats in their Matchday 13 Ghana Premier League (GPL) games last week.
Both teams suffered defeats on the road, leaving them with 21 points apiece, with the Phobians sitting seventh, two places below Kotoko.
At the University of Ghana Sports Stadium today, Hearts of Oak will attempt a second straight victory when they host Nations FC. The Phobians lost 1-0 to Nations FC last season in this fixture at the Tuba Astro Turf, a game many Hearts fans would want to forget.
Tomorrow, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, injury-stricken Asante Kotoko will hope for a good day when they host 14th-placed Dreams FC. Dreams FC suffered a 4-1 battering last season in this fixture and will be looking for revenge.
Dreams FC, led by Winfred Dormon, a protégé of Coach Zito, will aim to exact revenge on his former boss following that heavy defeat last season.
After going down 2-0 in the highly-anticipated Western Derby against Samartex FC last week, Bibiani Gold Stars return to their base at the Dun’s Park to host Medeama SC in another blockbuster Western derby.
Following their 2-0 victory over Hearts last week, Karela United will trek to the Wenchi Sports Stadium to face Young Apostles.
In other games, Berekum Chelsea will hope to return to winning ways when they host high-flying Hohoe United at the Golden City Park, while Basake Holy Stars FC will host Samartex FC at the Ampian AAK II Sports Arena in Azulewanu.
Swedru All Blacks will take on Vision FC at the Swedru Stadium, with the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park hosting the Bechem United FC vs. Eleven Wonders game.
By Raymond Ackumey
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