Sports
Hearts seek Olympics revenge in fierce ‘Ga Mashie’ derby
League title holders, Hearts of Oak will be in search for revenge when they play as guests of Great Olympics in a ferocious ‘Ga Mashie’ derby on matchday 16 tomorrow at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Tasting a sweet victory against King Faisal with Kwadwo Obeng Jnr scoring a lone goal, the Phobians will look forward to continue their winning streak to be able to hang on to their title.
Hearts are currently in fifth position with 23 points and a match in hand with Asante Kotoko – and cannot afford to drop points against Olympics who are seventh on the log. Oly failed to impress away against Kotoko in their previous fixture, making them come into this game hungrier for all the maximum points.
Last season, Olympics had the better of Hearts, beating the Phobians at home and sharing the spoils in the reverse fixture. The Dade boys will have to prove to the critics that the departure of Gladson Awako – their play-maker last season, to the Hearts camp, will have no effect on them; not even the introduction of former Black Stars stalwart Sulley Muntari, into the Hearts fold, would.
At the Cosby Awuah Memorial (CAM) Park at Aiyinase, Karela United will welcome Legon Cities to a tight contest. The Cities thrashed Eleven Wonders 3-0 in their previous fixture and would like to keep up the same spirit away in the Western Region.
Dreams FC will lock horns with Berekum Chelsea at the Dawu Park on Sunday in a compelling fixture.
After suffering a painful defeat in their previous game in Obuasi against AshantiGold, Dreams will be eager to clinch all the maximum points to sink fast-improving Berekum Chelsea.
Sogakope lads, West African Football Academy (WAFA), will make a long journey to Techiman to face Eleven Wonders at the Ohene Ameyaw Park tomorrow. The under-performing Wonders would have to fight for the maximum points to escape the relegation zone; similar situation confronts WAFA if they fail to win – which makes this tie a cagey one.
After crashing to WAFA in Sogakope, Biabiani Goldstars will welcome the Ogya boys – Aduana Stars, to a fierce battle at the Duns Park. Losing at home against Bechem United in their previous clash, Aduana Stars would want to return to winning ways to compete for the league title.
Straight from a 2-0 victory over Olympics, leaders Asante Kotoko will journey to Elmina to face bottom-placed Elmina Sharks on Monday.
With the Cameroonian duo of Mbella Etouga and Mefegue Georges cutting off their opponents, Kotoko appear favourites for this fixture.
Sixth-placed King Faisal will be looking for victory as they slot it out with Real Tamale United at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium today, while Accra Lions will welcome Medeama to the Accra Sports Stadium today. Accra Lions need all three points to stay out of the relegation zone.
As of press time yesterday, Bechem United were battling it out with AshantiGold at the Nana Gyeabour Park.
BY EMMANUEL ASANTE
After 16 years of not hosting this fixture, the Swedru Stadium will come alive today as Swedru All Blacks welcome Hearts of Oak in a Ghana Premier League (GPL) Match Day 10 clash.
Both sides enter the game on the back of 1-0 defeats in their previous outings, setting the stage for an intense encounter as they aim to bounce back.
While Hearts fans are backing their coach, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, to secure his fourth away win of the season, the Swedru faithful, known as the “Ozii Ozaa,” have issued a stern warning to their head coach, Egyptian tactician Ahmed Ibrahim Fathi: “Win the game or risk losing your job.”
On paper, it is a challenging task given the visitors’ recent form. Nonetheless, Coach Fathi remains confident that the three points will stay in Swedru, having prepared his side to meet supporters’ expectations.
Meanwhile, tomorrow at the Baba Yara Stadium, Asante Kotoko will rekindle their rivalry with league leaders Aduana FC in a GPL blockbuster. The Fabulous Lads, the only unbeaten team in the league, aim to maintain their perfect record, while Aduana FC coach Cioaba Aristica believes his side can stretch their lead at the top of the table.
Other fixtures this weekend include:
- Medeama SC vs. Eleven Wonders – University of Ghana Sports Stadium, Legon
- Bechem United vs. Samartex FC – Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park, Bechem
- Berekum Chelsea vs. Nations FC – Golden City Park
- Basake Holy Stars vs. Vision FC – Ampain AAK II Sports Arena
- Heart of Lions FC vs. Young Apostles FC – Kpando Stadium
- Bibiani Gold Stars vs. Karela United – Bibiani Dun’s Park
Fans can expect exciting football and crucial points on the line as teams fight for league supremacy and to turn around recent fortunes.
By Raymond Ackumey
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Call it a night of celebration, where sports and music converge on one stage. The 50th edition of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Awards will take place tonight at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), promising an evening of glamour, recognition, and entertainment.
The Golden Jubilee edition commemorates 50 years of excellence since the awards’ inception in 1975, honoring Ghana’s best sporting heroes and heroines. The event will not only celebrate the present generation of athletes but also veterans who excelled over the past five decades.
High-profile guests include President John Dramani Mahama, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, and AIPS President Gianni Merlo.
SWAG has prepared an impressive entertainment lineup, headlined by Afropop star Stonebwoy, with appearances expected from Fameye.
Golden Jubilee Ambassadors
Personalities to be decorated as 50th Anniversary Ambassadors include:
- Margaret Simpson – Athletics
- Azumah Nelson – Boxing
- Abedi Ayew Pele – Football
- Michael Essien – Football
- Kwadwo Asamoah – Football
- Stephen Appiah – Football
- Samuel Osei Kuffour – Football
- Adwoa Bayor – Football
- Alberta Sackey – Football
Awards Highlights for 2024
Coach of the Year: Frimpong Manso (Gold Stars) vs. James Kwesi Appiah (Sudan)
Referee/Umpire of the Year: Daniel Laryea (Football), Francis Yeboah (Badminton), Clement Smith (Athletics)
National Team of the Year:
- Black Queens
- National Badminton Doubles Team
- Golden Arms (Armwrestling)
- Black Cranes (Weightlifting)
Club of the Year: Police Ladies, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Faith Ladies, Bibiani Gold Stars
Top 5 Federations: Ghana Athletics, Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), Ghana Badminton, Ghana Weightlifting Federation (GWF), Ghana Cricket Association (GCA), Ghana Rugby Football Union (GRFU)
Other Awards:
- Athlete of the Year: Abdul Rasheed Saminu
- Boxer of the Year: Gideon Pappoe, George Dowuona, Mathias Ashittey
- Weightlifter of the Year: Emmanuel Amo Boateng
- Footballer of the Year – Male (Foreign Based): Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo, Kudus Mohammed
- Footballer of the Year – Female (Foreign Based): Grace Asantewaa, Chantelle Boye Hlorkah
- Footballer of the Year – Male (Home Based): Stephen Amankona, Benjamin Asare, Razak Simpson
- Footballer of the Year – Female (Local Based): Comfort Yeboah
- Student Athlete of the Year: Phillip Tetteh Odjer (Male, Athletics), Moslina Adu (Female, Badminton)
- Discovery of the Year: Yayra Akos Agozi (Female, Weightlifting), Michael Agyapong Mensah (Male, Table Tennis)
- Swimmer of the Year: Josel Mensah
- Badminton Player of the Year: Obaponba Adu Minta
- Puller of the Year: Mabel Yeboah
- Para-Athlete of the Year: Zainabu Issah
- Meritorious Awards: Moses Adu (Badminton), Husseini Akueteh Addy (Armwrestling)
- Dedication and Valour: Portia Boakye (Football), Yaw Agyeman (Athletics)
- SWAG Lifetime Achievement Award: Brestford Amui (Horse Racing/Administrator), Asamoah Gyan (Football), Andre Dede Ayew (Football), Anthony Yeboah (Football)
- Sports Administrator of the Year: Evans Kojo Yeboah (Badminton)
- Table Tennis Player of the Year: Emmanuel Commey / James Marfo
- SWAG President’s Award: Henry Arko
This year’s awards promise glitter, excitement, and recognition of Ghana’s finest in sports, both past and present, making it a night to remember.
By Andrew Nortey
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