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
KUMASI – Asante Kotoko will welcome Aduana FC in a crunch 1/16th stage clash of the MTN FA Cup competition tomorrow at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium as the Ghana Premier League (GPL) takes a short break.
Without doubt, it climaxes this round of fixtures of the competition and will see both clubs fighting it hard to grab quarter final tickets.
For fans of the Porcupine Warriors, the timing of the clash is not favourable as it represents a difficult period when the club is struggling to keep pace with the leaders in the GPL.
The statistics clearly explain the mood among the Reds fans.
The Porcupine Warriors have won only two matches in their last six games, that is, against Bechem United and Basake Holy Stars.
But against Swedru All Blacks and Kpando Heart of Lions, they lost in miserable fashion and secured draws with Berekum Chelsea and Bibiani Gold Stars.
This has affected morale in camp. Coming against Aduana FC, it will not be an easy mountain to climb as the Dormaa lads enjoy a clean ride in the GPL.
Kotoko and Aduana drew 1-1 in their last league encounter which produced a lot of thrills.
The return of top striker Albert Amoah to the fold and scoring on his return got their fans celebrating and anticipated a smooth run, only to be pegged back by the Lions from Kpando.
Aduana FC at their best can ‘harm’ any opposition. Against the Porcupine Warriors tomorrow, they would have to be at their best to stand a chance against the wounded Porcupines.
At the Tuba Astro turf, Dreams FC would engage Inter Allies in another encounter expected to be full of thrills.
Inter Allies’ Technical Director, Willie Klutse, says his team has what it takes to upset the apple-cart, knowing Dreams FC’s struggles in the ongoing season.
Berekum Chelsea would also come face-to-face with Tamale City who are enjoying a great run in the Division One League (DOL).
Elsewhere, Nations FC will take on Swedru All Blacks when league leaders, Medeama SC, will host FC Samartex 1996 at the T&A Park today.
By Andrew Nortey
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A statement attributed to Black Stars Assistant Coach, John Paintsil, regarding player selection has sent tongues wagging and teeth gnashing.
In a media interview, Paintsil hinted that there could be ‘a lot of surprises’ when the final Black Stars list for the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament is announced.
No matter how one looks at it, it is clear Paintsil only stated the obvious and come June 1, when the final announcement is made by the technical team, some would be happy; others would be disappointed.
Trying to step into the shoes of the coach, Otto Addo, one realises that selections for such high-profile tournament is the most difficult part of preparations.
Over the years, it has been shown that a player’s participation can be on merit. There have also been circumstances when a player’s selection is ill-deserved but on what basis is that conclusion reached?
There is an interesting analogy in Ghana’s World Cup selection history with Otto Addo being a major beneficiary at a time fans may think he didn’t deserve it.
The German born did not play in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers for Ghana, but was later included in the final squad for the World Cup tournament in Germany. Despite not featuring in the qualifying campaign, he played a role in the squad’s preparation and was part of the team that represented Ghana at the World Cup for the first time.
He did no wrong; neither did the selectors. Such is the nature of football. The ‘Monkey dey work, baboon dey chop’ theory clearly applies.
And for a technical team that has been working so hard to put together a proper representation at the football showpiece, this theory could be revisited, putting Paintsil’s comments about shocks in proper perspective.
Otto Addo has indicated that the technical team will cast its net wide to identify the best talent to put together a formidable team, irrespective of where they are based.
In the game of football, no player’s spot is guaranteed. In cases where players maintain consistent performances, he can be unfortunately ruled out by injury like it has happened in the case of Salisu Mohammed.
There were other players as well that started the qualifiers. Mention can be made of players like Dennis Odoi and Tauriq Lamptey.
Others lost their positions through poor performances and because there was no time to wait, new players are selected to fill the gaps.
There are also players that peak at the right time, making it difficult for the selectors to ignore them.
All of these developments can have dire consequences on the structure of the final team and fans must, therefore, view Paintsil’s clue as one that serves as a timely reminder of the harsh realities under which teams are managed, rather than looking at it as intimidation.
Top coaches all over the world have stated how it is impossible to please their players just because on a match day, only 11 players can start.
Otto Addo will face the same situation in his bid to assemble the best.
Ghana has been drawn into Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. The Black Stars will kick off their campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, face England in Boston, and conclude the group stage against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.
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