Sports
Kotoko chase fourth consecutive win …as they face Wonders
Kumasi Asante Kotoko will be eyeing a fourth consecutive win when they square off with Eleven Wonders today in their week-four Ghana Premier League (GPL) fixture at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
The Porcupine Warriors started this season’s league on a bright note with some enterprising and result-oriented football, to occupy the summit of the table.
Another win for Kotoko would further cement their position as they had already been tipped as favourites to win the 2021/2022 league.
They also face a side that are yet to find the back of the net in three opening matches with a defeat and two draws to their credit.
Beaming with confidence, Kotoko will go all out to deepen the woes of their opponents as they fancy maximum points to stay ahead of the chasing pack.
Wonders will also be tormented by Kotoko’s wonder kid Isaac Oppong who is gradually taking the league by storm following his impressive performances.
Nicknamed Neymar, the fleet-footed player had scored two goals so far including the strike against Bibiani Gold Stars last Friday to give Kotoko their third consecutive win.
He would be a handful for Eleven Wonders who would attempt to be resolute and get something out of the game.
In another cracker today at Dormaa, Aduana Stars face off with Real Tamale United with the home side chasing their first win of the season.
Aduana managed to clinch a point against Hearts in their last home game and would be hoping to get three maximum points against a very determined RTU side.
Newly-promoted Accra Lions host Bechem United at the Accra Sports Stadium for another interesting encounter.
The round of matches would continue tomorrow with a mouthwatering encounter between AshantiGold and Hearts of Oak at the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi.
After three consecutive draws, Hearts would be looking forward to their first win against a side with the same interest.
AshantiGold will be hoping to get back to winning ways, and garnering all three points at home against the champions, would be fancied.
A fourth consecutive game without a win looks frustrating for the Phobians and they must go all out to make a statement at Obuasi.
In other games, Accra Great Olympics – who are also enjoying a decent season so far, will be hoping to maintain their run as they face Dreams FC at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
WAFA battle it out with Legon Cities at Sogakope, while Elmina Sharks would play Bibiani Gold Stars at Elmina in another dicey encounter.
BY MICHAEL D. ABAYATEYE
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
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
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
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
