Sports
Hearts storm Dawu …as Kotoko aim for RTU revenge
The Theatre of Dreams in Dawu will be fired up today when former Premier League champions – Accra Hearts of Oak square off with Dreams FC in a ferocious match-day 25 in the betPawa Premier League.
Prior to this clash, the Phobians were 1-0 victors over Accra Lions in the Accra derby in mid-week and are keen to build on that to secure another win.
The latter were not lucky enough to hold on to their 2-0 lead in the first round only for Hearts to produce an emphatic comeback after recess to seal a point in a 2-2 stand-off at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Phobians seem to flourish under assistant trainer and acting coach – David Ocloo, after head coach Slavko Matic is reported to have parted ways with the club. Ocloo has won two, lost one and drew same in their last four meetings – moving Hearts to third on the league table and three points adrift leaders Aduana Stars.
Dreams have lost three out of their four games away with one victory at home which could make it difficult for Hearts to ease pass the hosts.
Defending champions Asante Kotoko will welcome Real Tamale United (RTU) to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium tomorrow in a taut affair.
The last meeting between both sides ended in a 2-1 defeat for the Porcupine Warriors at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium, making it two consecutive wins for RTU when they gained promotion to the Premier League in the 2020/21 campaign.
As of the time this report was filed, Kotoko were in action with Legon Cities at the El-Wak Sports Stadium on Thursday, having earlier drew 1-1 at home in the first leg at Baba Yara Stadium.
With one victory and a defeat from their two games, substantive coach Gazale must defy all odds to get his side into the title race again after dropping down to seventh with 34 points and a game to spare, while Cities will need a win to wriggle out of the relegation zone.
On Sunday at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park in Dormaa, Aduana Stars will welcome Tamale City to a mouth-watering clash. The leaders have garnered two points in their previous two games, despite an earlier win and defeat.
Should the ‘Ogya’ lads emerge victorious on the day, they will move three points ahead of second-placed Bechem United.
Accra Lions will be at the Accra Sports Stadium today to lock horns with King Faisal. Lions lost 1-0 to Hearts, while King Faisal claimed a 3-2 victory over Karela United in mid-week.
Poor performing Great Olympics will battle Berekum Chelsea at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
Tomorrow at the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park (CAM), Karela United will welcome Samartex, while bottom-placed Kotoku Royals face Medeama SC.
Nsoatreman will face a tough hurdle when they play high-flying Bechem United, while Bibiani Gold Stars take on Legon Cities on Monday.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
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.
