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Hearts target another win …as Kotoko eager to bounce back
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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
With the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season set to kick off on September 4, clubs have continued to fine-tune their squads, with a number of late additions and free-agent deals shaping up ahead of the new campaign.
From established Premier League sides such as Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak, Medeama, Aduana FC, FC Samartex and Berekum Chelsea to ambitious lower-tier clubs, there has been significant movement in the transfer market.
Here is a rundown of the notable deals involving Ghana Premier League clubs:
Medeama SC strengthen across the pitch
Medeama have been among the busiest clubs, adding depth in midfield, defence and attack. The Mauve and Yellows have brought in Etse Dogli from Heart of Lions on a three-year deal, while Emmanuel Boateng arrives from Eleven Wonders on a two-year contract. Dominic Frimpong, a free agent, has also joined to bolster the attack on a three-year deal. Other additions include Usman Safianu, Abdul Rahman Yaya, Emmanuel Annor from Nations FC, and winger Emmanuel Fobi, who arrives from Georgia’s Dila Gori on a three-year deal.
Medeama have also recruited Issah Ibrahim from Latvia, Sudanese goalkeeper Monged Abuzaid Salman, midfielder Blessing Kwabena Dwamena, Jelillu Osman from New Edubiase, Emmanuel Anokye from Sporting Club Accra, and right-back Ebenezer Adade from Dreams FC.
Port City FC add experience and attacking options
Port City have also been active, bringing in several players to strengthen their squad. Kwabena Adu Meider and Francis Gyetuah arrive as free agents, while Stephen Diyou joins from Hohoe United.
The club have also secured Gideon Waja from WAFA, Ishak Suraj from Lebanese side Al Ahly, free-agent defender Samuel Gyimah, goalkeeper Daniel Amissah on a two-year deal, and Elliot Affotey from Heart of Lions on a three-year contract. Daniel Osei Snr., a defensive midfielder from Hohoe United, completes another addition to the squad.
Hearts of Oak bring in several young talents
Hearts of Oak have invested heavily in young players, including a number of long-term deals. Abdul Aziz arrives from Swedru All Blacks on a three-year deal, while free agent Ebenezer Amoh joins on a two-year contract. The Phobians have also secured Rockson Kyeremeh and centre-back Manuel Osei Djan from PAC Academy, both on five-year contracts.
Other arrivals include Caleb Koranteng from Victory Club Warriors, Alex Banso from Namoro FC, free-agent right-back Prince Amevor, goalkeeper Vicente Anane, Ivorian forward Mamadou Kader Kourouma, and free-agent defensive midfielder Dominic Nsobila.
Swedru All Blacks continue recruitment drive
Swedru All Blacks have added a sizeable group of players. Among them are Mohammed Musah Salifu from Tamale City, David Lartey from Dreams Chasers, Prince Arthur and Kelvin Ampoful from Nations FC, and winger Samuel Osei Kofi from Nsuopun Fidelity.
Free agent Faisal Chawetey, forward Vincent Baah Jnr from Tema Faith, centre-back Michael Abrokwa from Nations FC, forward John Ahuma Ocansey, midfielder Godfred Yartey from Cheetah FC, winger Andy Koramoah from Auroras, right-back Kojo Quansah from Samartex, and defender Latif Blessing from Cheetah FC have also joined.
Samartex add four
FC Samartex have strengthened with four additions. Ebenezer Okrah and Prince Affum arrive from Sefwi All Stars, while Joshua Fuseini joins from Golden Kick. Meshack Adjetey Sowah also arrives from Vision FC on a three-year deal.
Aduana FC bolster defence and attack
Aduana FC have brought in several players, including free agent Shawkan Hunalf Mohammed, defensive midfielder Samuel Tenedu from Berekum Chelsea, and centre-back Boa-At Regain from Bechem United. They have also signed free agent Stephen Amankona, right-back Abdul Latif Mohammed from Victory Club Warriors, winger Emmanuel Abban from Bechem United, Zakaria Fuseini from Techiman Liberty Youth, and free-agent left-back Bismark Anim on a two-year deal.
AshantiGold make international additions
FC Ashantigold have recruited from both Ghana and abroad. Raphael Kodjo Etchonou arrives from ESA Academy in Togo, while Burkina Faso defender Ben Yamine Nassirou Kabore joins from Etoile Filante. The club have also signed free-agent right-back Kamal Suraje on a three-year deal and goalkeeper Kwaku Musah, also on a three-year contract.
Other additions include Fatao Seidu, Sirinu Huzaifah from Skyy FC, Saddick Ibrahim Abubakar from Skyy, Ishmael Acquah from Skyy, William Addo from Unity FC, free-agent winger Alhassan Benny, and goalkeeper Thomas Kwabena Osei from Heart of Lions.
Gold Stars add attacking firepower
Gold Stars have brought in Nicholas Amekpewu from Elmina Sharks on a three-year deal, while centre-back Claude Shooting Bortey arrives as a free agent. They have also signed Kwame Opoku, another free agent, on a two-year deal.
Heart of Lions build new-look squad
Heart of Lions have also been busy, with several free-agent signings. Francis Odoom from Hohoe United joins on a two-year deal, alongside centre-back Abdul Jalilu, goalkeeper Edmund Wireko, winger William Oduro, centre-back Pius Baffuor, winger Sena Ati, and forward Mustapha Yakubu. Stephen Afoakwa from Faith Football Academy is another addition.
Other notable movements
Berekum Chelsea have recruited forward Jamal Haruna on a three-year deal, while Diawisie Taylor, Awuah Dramani, Chyereme Shadirac, Fuseini Zakaria, goalkeeper Zulka Massawudu, and Augustine Boakye have also joined.
At Asante Kotoko SC, goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim arrives on a two-year deal, while the Porcupine Warriors have also added Emmanuel Mamah, Ivorian centre-back Koffi Marius Ange Bini, free agent Isaac Opoku Agyemang, Burkina Faso midfielder Abdoul Kader Tarnagda, Cameroonian midfielder Solomon Nsor Asaah, Moroccan goalkeeper Abdel Wadie Mourad, and Albanian defender Umar Ali from Partizani.
Karela United have signed Wisdom Jonas Manyina from RTU on a three-year deal, alongside Frank Ackom from Nsuopun Fidelity, Iddi Mahfuz, Edmund Afurapoe from Eleven Wonders, goalkeeper Kwaku Musah, Angel Ewulla, Collins Ntiful from Okwawu United, Issah Abdul Basit from Golden Warriors, forward Mohammed Alhassan Mankuyeli, Ebenezer Amegah from Hohoe United, and free-agent forward Prince Opoku Agyemang. Vision FC have also added Kwadwo Boamah from Hohoe United and Faruk Mohammed from Nations FC.
The final preparations begin
With the transfer deadline now passed and the Ghana Premier League scheduled to begin on September 4, attention will turn from recruitment to preparation.
The sheer volume of movement suggests that several clubs will enter the new campaign with significantly different squads. For coaches, the immediate challenge will be turning these new arrivals into cohesive teams before the opening whistle of the new Premier League season.
The Black Princesses will play Polish side Sleza Wroclaw, a team in the Orlen Ekstraliga Kobiet, in their first international friendly match in Wroclaw, Poland.
The game will be held behind closed doors as Ghana continue preparations ahead of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The friendly offers Black Princesses head coach Charles Sampson another valuable opportunity to assess his squad, build cohesion and sharpen tactics.
The game will be played on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the Stadion Sportowy Olawka in Wroclaw at 14:00 GMT.
The Black Princesses are making their eighth consecutive appearance at the biennial tournament, aiming to make it past the group stage for the first time in their history.
