Sports
Kotoko, Aduana to set Accra ablaze
The enthralling Ghana Premier League continues across all league centres with the Asante Kotoko and Aduana Stars tie topping the crackers of the 10-week liners.
Although Kotoko are gradually picking up the pieces after garnering four points from a possible six, the Porcupines will be eager to sit top of the table when they invite struggling Dormaa outfit to the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The Aduana boys are having a patchy run, failing to pick up a single point in their four away games. A win against Kotoko could power them to a top -our spot.
However, the Accra Stadium will this afternoon sparkle up with fifth-placed Great Olympics looking to end the unbeaten run of league leaders Karela United. A though contest it will be for the ‘Dade’ boys under new gaffer Yaw Preko, who have enjoyed some series of good runs with a recent comfortable 2-0 win against rivals Inter Allies.
The Anyinase-based side would have to defy all odds to maintain their top spot after that emphatic (4-1) victory over Berekum Chelsea last weekend. The tactical brilliance of Evans Adotey and Yaw Preko will be on display this afternoon.
With both sides gradually dripping into the relegation zone, Dreams FC will welcome Liberty Professionals to the Dawu Theatre of Dreams in a stiff affair. The ‘Still believe‘ lads have not been able to snatch a single point in their last three games and will be aiming to bounce back to winning ways, while Liberty – after their home defeat to Dwarfs, will want to fight fiercely for the optimum points today.
Drooping at the bottom of the log, King Faisal will travel to square off with Eleven Wonders at Techiman on Sunday. Without a single win after nine games, Faisal will be eager to feed on Coach Ignatius Ofosu and his charges to amass their first win of the campaign, whereas Wonders would want to put their defeat against Hearts behind them and record their third win.
Title contenders Bechem United will make a trip to the central part of Ghana to engage Elmina Sharks in a fearsome encounter. Having picked one defeat in nine games, the Hunters will aim to progress with their fine form against a very slippery Sharks who appear to be a difficult side to beat at the Nduom Park.
Not an impressive side with two wins in nine games, Berekum Chelsea will be at the Golden City Park as hosts to fourth-placed Hearts today. The high flying Phobians will be seeking to continue their good run after picking up three wins and one draw in their last four games. However, Hearts will miss the services of talisman Manaf Umar due to suspension, but gaffer Kosta Papic would be much elated with the return of forward Kojo Obeng Junior as Manaf’s replacement.
With two points above the relegation zone, Chelsea will be eager to make amends against a composed Hearts side, following the 4-1 heavy defeat to top spot Karela United last Sunday.
Having defeated Aduana Stars by a slim 2-1 win last weekend, Medeama in their quest to chase top-four spot, will be aiming to deepen the plight of relegation- threatened Inter Allies who have failed to win in their last two games with the most recent against rivals Olympics. Sitting 16th on the league log, the Allies will have a hard nut to crack on Sunday at the Akoon Park in other to escape relegation.
Ebusua Dwarfs will welcome Sogakope side WAFA to yet another fascinating encounter at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium tomorrow. Bottom club Legon Cities and second-placed AshantiGold were slotting it out at the Accra Sports Stadium as of press time.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
THE Ghana Premier League (GPL) enters another exciting weekend with Asante Kotoko and Medeama SC set for a crucial showdown while Accra Hearts of Oak seek to strengthen their title challenge and FC AshantiGold 04 begin life after the departure of Coach Abdul Karim Zito.
The Matchday 9 fixtures, scheduled for today and tomorrow, promise another round of compelling contests as clubs battle for early season supremacy, continental ambitions and stability.
The headline fixture is the meeting between the Porcupine Warriors and the Mauve and Yellow at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium tomorrow where both sides will be eager to make a statement.
Kotoko will have the advantage of home support but the Tarkwa-based side are expected to provide a stern test for the Porcupine Warriors.
The Kumasi giants have endured an inconsistent opening to the campaign, with their recent results highlighting the need for greater consistency if they are to mount a serious title challenge.
Their 1-1 draw with FC AshantiGold 04 in the previous fixture underlined the difficulties they have faced in turning competitive performances into maximum points.
Against Medeama, the Reds must combine defensive discipline with greater attacking efficiency. Playing before their home supporters could provide the necessary lift, but they would need to avoid giving the visitors opportunities to exploit any defensive lapses.
Medeama, meanwhile, will travel to Kumasi determined to demonstrate why they are among the teams expected to challenge for the title.
For both clubs, victory would offer more than three points. It would provide an important psychological boost and strengthen their position in an increasingly competitive title race.
Hearts of Oak will also be among the teams attracting considerable attention as they travel to face Debibi United tomorrow.
The Phobians have made encouraging progress in recent weeks, with their defensive solidity and growing confidence giving supporters reasons to believe that a sustained title challenge is possible.
Their 1-0 victory over Basake Holy Stars, secured through Martin Karikari’s late strike, strengthened their position at the summit of the league after eight matches. The result also extended their winning run to three matches.
However, maintaining that momentum away from home will be another test of their credentials.
Debibi United will be determined to frustrate the visitors and use home advantage to their benefit.
Hearts must, therefore, approach the encounter with patience and discipline, particularly if their opponents adopt a compact defensive approach.
With the standings still capable of changing significantly at this early stage, maximum points could help Hearts consolidate their position at the top or reclaim it, depending on the results of their closest challengers.
Another major talking point is the decision by FC AshantiGold 04 to part ways with Head Coach and Technical Director, Abdul Karim Zito, Assistant Coach Ernest Okyere, and goalkeepers’ trainer, Robert Dabo.
The development comes as AshantiGold prepare to visit Swedru All Blacks tomorrow, presenting an immediate test for the club’s caretaker technical team.
The question is whether the coaching changes will produce the desired reaction or further unsettle a side still searching for consistency.
Swedru All Blacks, who will enjoy home advantage, will be keen to capitalise on any disruption within the visitors’ camp.
Elsewhere, Aduana FC would host Berekum Chelsea in a potentially tight contest, while Basake Holy Stars welcome Dreams FC.
Heart of Lions will face Bechem United, and Samartex take on Bibiani Gold Stars in another intriguing fixture. Vision FC will meet Port City today, while Young Apostles host Karela United tomorrow.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
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THE 24th edition of the Accra Seniors Tennis Open Championship, organised by the Accra Lawn Tennis Club, is scheduled to take place from Monday, November 23 to Saturday, December 5, 2026, organisers have announced.
Consequently, registration for the tournament has opened, offering professional and amateur players an opportunity to participate in the competition that assembles the best of the aged in the tennis fraternity.
Registration will close on Friday, November 20, 2026, with the draw and viewing for the competition scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2026 and Sunday, November 22, 2026, respectively.
Entry fees have been pegged at GH¢150 for the singles event and GH¢200 for the doubles event.
Matches will be played on weekdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The competition will feature various categories, including ladies’ singles, men’s singles, ladies’ doubles, men’s doubles, advanced social singles and doubles, as well as mixed doubles.
In the ladies’ singles event, players will compete in different age categories, including those aged up to 39 years.
The men’s singles event will feature players in the 25–34, 35–44 and 55–64 age categories.
For the ladies’ doubles event, participants will compete in the under-40 and 40-and-above categories, while the men’s doubles event will feature players aged 35–44, 45–54, 55–64, 65–69 and 70 years and above.
The advanced social singles and doubles categories, for both men and women, are designed for high-level amateur players seeking competitive matches outside the demands of professional and semi-professional circuits.
The mixed doubles event will also provide an opportunity for players to compete in combined male and female pairings.
The tournament is expected to attract players of different ages and skill levels, with spectators anticipated to witness exciting displays of skill, technique and sportsmanship throughout the competition.
By Benjamin Arcton-Tettey
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