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
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.
