Sports
Hearts target another win …as Kotoko eager to bounce back
Hearts of Oak will be chasing a second straight victory when they host Accra Lions in the Ghana Premier League (GPL) match-day 9 fixture at the Accra Sports Stadium tomorrow.
The Phobians scaled pass Elmina Sharks 1-0 on match day 8 with Gladson Awako guaranteeing the much-needed result with a thunderbolt to hand the Rainbow lads their first triumph after a disappointing three draws and a defeat in their four games played.
Notwithstanding their abysmal output in the continental campaign, Hearts will be poised to continue on a high note to bring back smiles to their teaming fans who most even called for the head of the coach and some under-performing players.
The return of Awako could bring back the missing spark in the heart of midfield as they aim to grind more results.
However, action in the GPL continues on Sunday when Asante Kotoko make a trip to the capital to face Legon Cities at the El-Wak Sports Stadium.
The Porcupine Warriors were held to a 1-1 stalemate by Real Tamale United (RTU) in mid-week at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Cameroonian forward Mfegue George’s early strike was cancelled by RTU’s David Abagna Sandan late effort to deny Kotoko their fifth victory.
With pressure gradually looming on Coach Prosper Ogum, Legon Cities will be aiming to take the bull by the horn to deepen the woes of Kotoko who are without a win in their last two outings.
At the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park in Dormaa tomorrow, imposing Aduana Stars take on Berekum Chelsea, in a dicey clash. With another win in their bag against Ashgold SC in Obuasi, the ‘Ogya boys’ would have one more chance to avert their home frustration to appease their fans, having lost 2-0 to King Faisal in their season’s opener.
Struggling Eleven Wonders will square off with Bibiani Gold Stars at the Ohene Ameyaw Park in Techiman tomorrow.
Sitting a place above West African Soccer Academy (WAFA) in relegation zone, Wonders could use this test to grab their second win in nine games while Gold Stars will be eager to bounce back from their 2-0 away loss to Great Olympics.
At the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park in Aiyinase, Karela United will lock horns with fifth-placed Bechem United tomorrow. The home team picked up a disappointing 3-1 away defeat to Dreams, while the visitors managed a narrow 1-0 win over Eleven Wonders.
Karela United will host Bechem United at Crosby Awuah Memorial Park in Aiyinase.
The hosts will be keen to bounce back from their 3-1 away defeat to Dreams in mid-week, while the visitors will aim for another victory.
At the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium on Sunday, RTU will welcome Elmina Sharks. Bottom-placed WAFA will host impressive Medeama SC at the Sogakope Red Bull Arena.
With a single win in the ongoing campaign, WAFA will have to go all out for a victory and make amends after their 2-0 defeat to Berekum Chelsea.
Action continues on Monday when Ashantigold SC take on Great Olympics in a tricky clash at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium. Olympics could add more misery on Ashgold after the Miners’ painful 1-0 defeat at home to Aduana Stars.
All eyes will he embossed on King Faisal’s Zubeiru Ibrahim when the ‘Insha Allah’ lads take on Fatawu Issahaku’s Dreams FC on Tuesday at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. It is a great opportunity for the two mega-kids to showcase their class and pedigree on the local scene.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
Attention will be at the Golden City Park in Berekum tomorrow as Hearts of Oak lock horns with Berekum Chelsea FC in a Ghana Premier League Matchday 6 game that promises an electrifying atmosphere.
Lying sixth on the league table with two wins and three draws, the Phobians visit a ground that has been favourable to them in recent times. In their last three visits to the Golden City Park, Hearts have amassed seven out of nine points, putting them in strong contention to win.
Head Coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani says, “The team is making progress in its tactical identity despite the lack of goals, and this is something we are working on ahead of this game.”
Hearts will come face-to-face with former coach Samuel Boadu, whose side lies a distant 13th on the league table with a win and a draw from four games. Coach Boadu is yet to celebrate a victory over the Phobians since joining the Berekum lads and would hope this fixture marks a turnaround.
Ninth-placed Vision FC would trek to the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem to play Bechem United, while new boys Hohoe United host Aduana FC at the Hohoe Sports Stadium.
Returnees Swedru All Blacks will welcome Basake Holy Stars to the Swedru Sports Stadium, with defending league champions Bibiani Gold Stars staying put at their backyard, the Dun’s Park, to welcome second-placed Heart of Lions FC on Monday.
Today at the TnA Stadium in Tarkwa, Medeama SC will clash with Samartex FC in a Western derby. Other games scheduled for today would see Eleven Wonders FC host Karela United at the Swedru Sports Stadium, while Dreams FC face Nations FC at the Tuba Astro Turf.
By Raymond Ackumey
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Ghana coach Otto Addo may not command the kind of fear and respect like Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Luis Enrique and others in the modern game, but in his small corner, he is gradually climbing the ladder to greatness in Ghana, Africa and the world at large.
The aforementioned coaches attained greatness with club sides and, therefore, open an argument over whether one is not comparing apples to oranges. But no matter how one looks at it, they are all coaches harbouring similar ambitions to attain greatness in their fields.
Otto Addo is one of the young and upcoming coaches holding a lot of promise and was getting experience with his association with Borussia Dortmund in Germany until his path was directed by a Ghana call.
Although he was born in Germany, Otto Addo’s association with Ghana football dates back to 1999, spanning a period of about seven years; commencing with a 5–0 rout of Eritrea on February 28. He gained international prominence when he joined the squad for the 2000 African Cup of Nations. He featured as a midfielder in the team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
But like it’s often said, a prophet is not recognised in his own home and his efforts partially went unnoticed. He’ll go into the annals as one of the Black Stars coaches to have been fairly or otherwise criticised not just by ‘football people’ but fans who doubted him.
His sack has been discussed at various platforms by people whose knowledge and tactical acumen about the game remains questionable. Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Mr Kofi Adams, at one point openly stated his doubts over Otto Addo’s ability to actually deliver.
No coach would feel secured in such turbulent times, but coach Otto Addo kept his calm and composure. On the corridors of his employers, however, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kurt Okraku, openly rallied support for him, though a few ‘doubting Thomases’ still questioned his credentials.
That painted a picture of a people that forget easily and are quick to crucify. In a brief moment of adversity, Ghanaians forgot how Otto Addo was brought in to pluck qualification for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup from the jaws of the Super Eagles of Nigeria with a solitary goal over two legs.
The upshot of that feat was not one any Nigerian would want to remember. The scenes after the match were awfully chaotic, as fans vented their anger on facilities at the stadium. Back in Ghana, it was partying all night and day.
Otto Addo was labeled the football magician. He achieved something no Ghanaian coach had ever accomplished; a feat which Ghana with her all-time best teams could not attain. That was the climax to which Otto Addo took Ghana football, generating calls to start believing in the Ghanaian coach.
Following that to the World Cup proper was another story altogether. It was, or may have been, our poorest show at any of the four World Cup appearances. And just as it was stipulated in his contract, he bowed out after the Qatar World Cup to mind his Borussia Dortmund business with peace.
But as fate would have it, nature found a way to renew his romance with Ghana football after an unconvincing start to the America, Canada and Mexico dream World Cup under special advisor turned coach, Chris Hughton.
Ghana started the qualifiers on a winning note but not a convincing performance. It was saved by an Inaki Williams goal scored on the sixth minute of additional time against Madagascar at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. The Black Stars then slumped to a 1-0 defeat at the Stade de Moroni to Comoros to heighten calls for a new technical direction.
Then stepped in Otto Addo when Ghana occupied the fourth position in Group I with three points but with the countries in the group evenly matched.
By Andrew Nortey
