Sports
Kadiogo’s stunner, wake-up call for Hearts!
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● Samuel Boadu – Hearts chief trainer
Right from the opening half of the nerve-jangling game, it was increasingly becoming clear that Asante Kotoko were on their way to a potential exit from the CAF Champions League preliminary stage as visiting Burkinabe side – RC Kadiogo, stole a 16th-minute lead at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
The stadium, hitherto lively and tumultuous, surrendered its vivacity to a calm, confused stillness and trepidation, especially when Dramane Kambou’s free-kick exploded into the net of the Porcupine Warriors.
Faces of dyed-in-the-wool fans turned red and sore. The reverse imagery was obvious as the small band of Kadiogo fans here at the stadium cart-wheeled for joy. Kadiogo had suffered a 1-0 defeat in the first fixture played in Benin – instead of Burkina Faso; CAF having rejected their stadium for its shabby nature.
In a pre-match interview, the Kadiogo management had insisted on storming Kumasi to beat Kotoko before their pet contingent. That threat was taken with a pinch of salt by the Asanteman Warriors who predicted a repeat of the ‘prussic acid’ they served their opponents in Benin, a week earlier. But that was not to be!
After a 0-1 scoreline into the break, Kotoko returned onto the pitch full of piss and vinegar – working ruthlessly in a valiant attempt to pull parity and possibly strike victory. Nothing came out of their efforts that saw a profusion of opportunities blown off – until the two sides were ushered into the lottery of penalty kicks as the aggregate result stood at 1-1.
Believe it or not, before their own eyes in Kumasi, Kadiogo outkicked Kotoko (1-3) and plunged the stadium into torment and tears. For the Burkinabe, it was an encore of the 1979 victory they chalked over Kotoko in similar fashion – during the African Winners Cup competition.
It is sad that Ghana’s league champions could not even proceed beyond the first round of qualifiers. It is such a huge disappointment to Ghana football.
Kotoko may be looking back at the defeat with lots of anguish and wonder whether it was even prudent to let Coach Prosper Narteh Ogum go after guiding the Reds to win their 24th Premiership title last season. Ogum’s exit, partly triggered by a brouhaha over transfer targets towards their CAF Champions League, now raises very pertinent queries and the club’s hierarchy must bow their heads in shame.
Embarrassingly, out of 10 appearances, the Porcupine Warriors have suffered nine exits – only making it to the Group Stage Money Zone as far back as 2006.
That the four initial slots allotted Ghanaian clubs in Africa (two each in the Champions League and Confederation Cup competitions) have been slashed to two – due to shabby outputs in the competitions over the years, is disturbing – cannot be over-emphasised.
Even as one hopes important lessons have been picked up zooming into the future, it is the expectation of Ghanaians that Sunday’s result must be a wake-up call to Hearts of Oak who begin their CAF Confederation Cup competition next month.
Hearts drew a bye in the first round and would now face Mali side Real Bamako who got the better of AS Douanes of Burkina Faso.
In 2004, Hearts won the maiden edition of the CAF Confederation Cup by upstaging sworn rivals and compatriots – Kotoko. Could they snatch it again? None can tell now; but truth is that they face a real mammoth task head in the campaign.
The Phobians have not been stimulating enough in the start of the betPawa Ghana Premier League, having lost one (1-0) and drawing the other (1-1) against Aduana Stars and Great Olympics respectively. They really have to improve – and it must be swift before their continental campaign rolls off.
PlainTalk With John Vigah
Just a few years ago, Zinabu Issah’s life revolved around her small trading business, and competing in sports was not on her mind.
Today, the Ghanaian para-athlete stands proudly as a Commonwealth Games silver medalist, proving that determination, hard work and perseverance can transform lives in unimaginable ways.
Issah, who competes in the shot put, javelin and discus events, recalls how her journey began unexpectedly when Coach Emmanuel Sowah Anum approached her and encouraged her to try para-sports.
“I had no intention of doing any sport. I was a petty trader and one day my coach approached me and told me to take up the sport. When he first said it, I laughed because sports was not my thing.
“But he was persistent and eventually convinced me to take up the sport,” she told GNA Sports in an interview.
According to Zinabu, her decision was met with resistance from some family members and friends who questioned why a woman living with a disability would pursue field events.
She faced a lot of stereotypes and criticism, which could easily have discouraged her, but she decided to stay focused on achieving success.
“He (Coach) told me he had seen something in me and believed I could excel in the sport,” she said while expressing gratitude to her coach.
“I want to thank God first of all and also thank my coach for believing in me,” she added.
Her coach, Emmanuel Sowah in an interview, revealed that he spotted Zinabu in Kumasi in 2014 and admitted that life was very difficult for her at the time.
“I saw something in her. I knew I could make her a better field athlete despite her disability, and I personally bought her first training kit. Over the past years, she has developed impressively,” he said.
Coach Sowah said he believes Zinabu can achieve even more and hopes she can step up at the next Paralympic Games, which he is confident she will qualify for.
The road from being a trader to competing in shot put, discus and javelin has been remarkable.
Zinabu has featured in numerous international tournaments, most notably winning gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games Qualifiers Grand Prix in Marrakech, Morocco.
The success earned her recognition, including an award at the 9th Women in Sports Association (WISA) Awards, a moment she says significantly boosted her confidence and motivation.
Her latest achievement came at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she delivered a season-best throw of 8.65 metres to secure silver in the women’s F57 shot put.
That was Ghana’s first medal of the Games and, according to Zinabu, the victory has changed perceptions within her family.
“Ever since my winning moment at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, my family have praised my exploits, and I am excited about that.
“My junior sister, who in the past told me to stop and promised to give me money to start a new business, is today excited about my achievement,” she said.
With her sights now firmly set on the 2028 Paralympic Games, Zinabu is determined to continue breaking barriers.
“I am preparing for the Paralympics, and I am optimistic of qualification. My target is to go for the gold medal,” she said.
For Zinabu, the journey from being a petty trader to a Commonwealth Games medalist is more than a personal triumph is a story of resilience, belief and the power of giving opportunity a chance. –GNA
The Angel Starlight Foundation (ASF) last Friday presented assorted food items to learners and management of the Street Academy, a sports and cultural organisation in Accra.
Mrs Angel Addo, Founder of the NGO made the donation as part of her birthday celebration.
She presented bags of rice, beans, maize, gallons of cooking oil, biscuits, drinks, soap and toilet rolls.
“This is a yearly ritual for me; choosing to celebrate my birthday with children of the Academy. They are very dear to my heart,” she told the Spectator.
She said “these are underprivileged children who through no fault of theirs find themselves on the streets but have been fortunate to be picked by the Academy and are receiving care.”
He urged government and corporate Ghana to also support the Academy in order to support such children who are offered formal education and trained in skilled programmes.
Receiving the items, Dr Ataa Lartey, Founder of the Academy thanked the Foundation for the gesture which he said would go a long way to ease the burden of the Academy.
In another development, the Academy will host its annual health walk today.
The event would attract children from the Academy and those from neighbouring communities and keep fit enthusiasts.
By Spectator Reporter
