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
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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