Sports
Karela United tipped to shove Liberty aside
League leaders Karela United will attempt to maintain their hold on top of the ladder as they welcome struggling Liberty Professionals to the Anyinase Park tomorrow in the Week 15 encounter of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).
Already tipped as title favourites, Karela have enjoyed a great run of results in the ongoing season as they edge closer to their target.
After picking up a vital away win against Ebusua Dwarfs in their last meeting, the Anyinase-based side would be eager to continue with their winning streak.
With talisman Diawusie Taylor in good shape ahead of the clash, the top scorer will be hoping to continue with his fine scoring form as he currently boasts of 10 goals from 14 games which has won him a call-up to the Black Stars ahead of the AFCON qualifiers.
The ‘Scientific Soccer’ lads, however, have not been impressive this season. With only three wins, six draws and five defeats as they occupy the 15th position with 15 points.
Nevertheless, Liberty, who were up by a 2-1 lead only for Inter Allies to snatch the equaliser late in the game, could use tomorrow’s test to escape from the relegation zone. The return of darling boy Brite Andoh and the addition of energetic midfielder Prosper Ahiabu, will do good to their assignment.
In the other weekend clash, trouble-hit Hearts of Oak host Ebusua Dwarfs at the Accra Sports Stadium tomorrow in a dicey game. The Phobians, after two straight defeats at the feet of local rivals Great Olympics and Medeama SC last weekend, would seek to return to winning ways and bring back the lost hopes of some agitated fans.
Hearts go into battle without Serbian gaffer Kosta Papic, goalkeeper’s trainer Ben Owu ahead of the clash as the duo have left their post following alleged managerial interference. A win for the Phobians tomorrow would be a huge relief and a giant step in their bid to win the championship.
Elsewhere, fifth-placed Bechem United square off with a transformed Legon Cities who are yet to record a defeat in their last five games, having posted two impressive wins and three draws. The Hunters dropped from first place after Medeama put them to the sword and they would be desperate for a win in order to keep them in the title race. Coach Bashir Hayford could also pull a surprise to extend their unbeaten run.
Bottom-placed Inter Allies would also battle it out with WAFA today at the Accra Sports Stadium with Inter Allies seeking to move out of the danger zone. With two victories and two draws, the Allies have lost 10 times, making them the side with the most defeats in the ongoing season. They managed a point in their last encounter and could make an improvement.
The action continues tomorrow where Berekum Chelsea would play host to high-flying Dreams FC where the ‘Still Believe’ lads would be hoping to continue their unbeaten run to nine and become the longest unbeaten outfit in the league currently. Chelsea will certainly face a tough test with the Dawu-based side that are currently unstoppable under new Serbian gaffer Vladislav Viric.
In-form Accra Great Olympics will travel to face Eleven Wonders at the Nana Ameyaw Oark in Techiman tomorrow. The ‘Dade’ boys would be aiming to worsen the plight of their struggling hosts who lie 16th on the league, despite a good start at the beginning of the campaign.
A win for Olympics could unseat leaders Karela if the latter falls.
Following a shaky start, Medeama SC have climbed from the relegation zone to sit seventh on the league log with crucial wins against Aduana Stars, Hearts and Bechem United. The Tarkwa-based side is gradually pulling up the strings to fight for a top-four slot as a win tomorrow will increase their title dreams despite being written off by most bookmakers.
As of press time yester-night, AshantiGold were squaring off with Aduana Stars.
Ghana’s only contingent in Africa, Asante Kotoko had their epic clash with King Faisal postponed due to their participation in the CAF Confederations Cup.
The Porcupine Warriors would have to overturn the 1-2 defeat to Algerian side ES Setif in the first leg at the Accra Sports Stadium to sail through.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
The unbeaten away run of Accra Hearts of Oak will be put to the test tomorrow when they visit the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale to play as guests of Karela United. Described as one of the top-liners of the weekend games, the match will pitch one of the best home teams against the best away team, with their records on the line.
After playing a pulsating 2-2 draw with Kumasi Asante Kotoko last week, league leaders Medeama SC return to their fortress, the TnA Stadium, to welcome Berekum Chelsea FC in a clash of former league winners. Medeama have struggled in recent times to hold their own against the ‘Bibires’, losing their last four games both home and away.
However, according to Head Coach of Medeama, Tanko Ibrahim, that sequence of results will come to an end tomorrow as they look to crawl out of the claws of their opponents with victory. Eleven points separate the sides, with Berekum Chelsea lying a distant 14th position on the log. They have been a pale shadow of themselves this season, and it remains to be seen if Coach Samuel Boadu’s side can keep the bragging rights over the Yellow and Mauves in what has been described as one of their worse starts to a league season.
Today, second-placed Kpando Heart of Lions will trek to the Kwame Kyei Sports Complex in Abrankese to play as guests of struggling Nations FC. Having suffered a 1-0 away loss to Basake Holy Stars in their last game, Nations FC would look to pick all three points to better their current 12th position.
In other games, the Hohoe Sports Stadium will come alive as new boys Hohoe United FC welcome Kumasi Asante Kotoko. The Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex in Tema will host the Vision FC versus Young Apostles FC game, the Tuba Astro Turf will host the Dreams FC versus Bechem United FC clash, while the Nsenkyire Sports Arena will host the Samartex FC versus Bibiani Gold Stars game. High-riding Aduana FC will sort things out with Basake Holy Stars at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park in Dormaa.
By Raymond Ackumey
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When the international friendly match between Ghana’s Black Queens and the Lionesses of England was announced, it was received with mixed feelings. For the faint-hearted, lining up such a high-profile friendly against the European champions was an audacious move. Fans who aligned with this school of thought were guided by what has earned a place in Ghana’s football history as the ‘Bochum Disaster,’ recorded on April 14, 1993.
It was a disaster, although there was no loss of life. On that cold evening in Bochum, the Black Stars suffered a 6-1 humiliation from the German national team in an international friendly. It came as a shock to soccer fans across the globe, coming just a year after Abedi Ayew Pele skippered the Black Stars to dominate the continent, culminating in an AFCON final in the 1992 edition held in Senegal. In a final against the Elephants of La Cote d’Ivoire, the game went to extra time, with the eventual winner decided after a marathon penalty shoot-out. Ghana’s strength on the continent at the time was considered second best.
Fast forward to April, Ghana faced Germany again, needing a high-profile friendly to commence USA ‘94 World Cup qualifying. What followed was a battering that no follower of the team would want to remember—a 6-1 defeat for the team that had previously brought honour to the nation. Guided by this history, nervous fans had reason to doubt the Black Queens’ ability to share the field with the European champions, currently the top-ranked female team in the world, and come out unscathed.
However, there were fans who remained optimistic that the Black Queens would perform well. Despite losing the game 2-0, fans expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall performance, as many had anticipated a worse outcome than the Bochum disaster. The English coach had changed the team that had thrashed China 8-0 just four days earlier, which gave some hope to Ghana supporters.
The Black Queens defended well for 90 minutes, aided by some profligacy from the English in front of goal and an excellent performance from Ghana’s goalkeeper, Cynthia Konlan Findib. England captain Alessia Russo praised Ghana’s performance, stating, “Ghana provided the type of test we wanted… We want to test ourselves against different playing styles, and we definitely got that tonight.”
Despite the defeat, the match proved to be a valuable exercise for the team as they prepare for the next AFCON. It highlighted improvements in both the playing staff and the technical direction of the team. Coach Kim Lars scored full marks for knowing the strengths of his team and adopting strategies they were comfortable with. While some fans disapproved of the defensive approach, as long as it proves effective, it must be encouraged to achieve results rather than merely entertain the crowd.
By Andrew Nortey
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