Sports
Kotoko aim to end season in style
Newly crowned Ghana Premier League (GPL) champions, Kumasi Asante Kotoko will make a trip to the capital today to face Accra Lions to climax their last game of the 2021-22 season.
Kotoko will be aiming for a double over the debutants to amass 69 points, having won 3-1 in the first round.
Under the tutelage of Coach Propser Ogum Larteh, Kotoko has been in blistering form in the second round, recording three defeats, winning eight and drawing five.
Accra Lions in their debut campaign have been impressive, having won one and lose one in their last two games, sitting 12th on the log with 44 points.
Should they emerge winners or losers, they will play in the elite division next season.
Third-placed Bechem United will host Berekum Chelsea tomorrow at the Nana Gyeabour Park; a game Chelsea could win to move to the top six.
Demoted Ashantigold will play as guest of GoldStars at the Dun’s Park in Bibiani tomorrow.
Dreams FC will lock horns with second-placed Medeama SC at Dawu tomorrow.
With their title dreams dashed, Medeama are 10 points behind winners Kotoko but can maintain their spot whilst Dreams on 13th must seal a double over the ‘Yellow and Mauve’ lads to secure a good position for next season.
Relegation-bound Eleven Wonders will battle it out with tenth-placed Aduana Stars at Techiman Ohene Ameyaw Park tomorrow.
Wonders will aim to bounce back after a painful 1-0 defeat to West Africa Soccer Academy (WAFA) last weekend. A victory for the host could boost their survival chances.
Accra Great Olympics will clash with relegated Elmina Sharks at the Nduom Park tomorrow.
With just a win in their last five outings, gaffer Annor Walker has registered his displeasure with the club’s poor run of results but has vowed to turn things round in their quest to cement a top four place.
Should they deepen the woes of the latter, the Wonder club could cement a fourth place on the table.
Hearts of Oak will face off with relegation-bound Real Tamale United (RTU) at the Accra Sports Stadium tomorrow whilst Karela United slug it out with relegation-bound WAFA.
King Faisal will welcome Legon Cities to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday to climax the 2021-22 season.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has introduced minimum monthly salaries for players in the Ghana Premier League (GPL), Division One League (DOL), and the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
According to the Association, the move is part of efforts to improve the welfare of footballers and make Ghana’s domestic leagues more professional and competitive.
The decision follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the GFA and the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG) ahead of the Association’s last Congress.
One key outcome of that partnership was the introduction of a standard contract for professional players, which has already been implemented by Premier League clubs.
After further discussions with the clubs, the GFA and its partners agreed that players in the Ghana Premier League will now earn a minimum net monthly salary of GHS 1,500.
Players in the Division One League and the Women’s Premier League will each receive a minimum of GHS 700.
The new salary structure will apply to all contracts signed during the next registration window. However, for players already under contract, the new rates will take effect at the start of the 2026/2027 league season.
The GFA explained that the introduction of minimum salaries is a major step toward protecting the welfare of players and ensuring fair compensation for their talent and hard work.
It added that the decision is aimed at raising standards in local leagues, strengthening the value of Ghanaian football, and creating a more professional and sustainable future for players and clubs.
Attention will be at the Golden City Park in Berekum tomorrow as Hearts of Oak lock horns with Berekum Chelsea FC in a Ghana Premier League Matchday 6 game that promises an electrifying atmosphere.
Lying sixth on the league table with two wins and three draws, the Phobians visit a ground that has been favourable to them in recent times. In their last three visits to the Golden City Park, Hearts have amassed seven out of nine points, putting them in strong contention to win.
Head Coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani says, “The team is making progress in its tactical identity despite the lack of goals, and this is something we are working on ahead of this game.”
Hearts will come face-to-face with former coach Samuel Boadu, whose side lies a distant 13th on the league table with a win and a draw from four games. Coach Boadu is yet to celebrate a victory over the Phobians since joining the Berekum lads and would hope this fixture marks a turnaround.
Ninth-placed Vision FC would trek to the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem to play Bechem United, while new boys Hohoe United host Aduana FC at the Hohoe Sports Stadium.
Returnees Swedru All Blacks will welcome Basake Holy Stars to the Swedru Sports Stadium, with defending league champions Bibiani Gold Stars staying put at their backyard, the Dun’s Park, to welcome second-placed Heart of Lions FC on Monday.
Today at the TnA Stadium in Tarkwa, Medeama SC will clash with Samartex FC in a Western derby. Other games scheduled for today would see Eleven Wonders FC host Karela United at the Swedru Sports Stadium, while Dreams FC face Nations FC at the Tuba Astro Turf.
By Raymond Ackumey
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