Sports
Kotoko target Hearts scalps in redemption mission
● Gladson Awako – Hearts
The two giants of Ghana football – Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak will lighten up this season’s betPawa Ghana Premier League with ‘the clash of the titans’ at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium tomorrow.
The Super Clash will serve as a huge defining moment for the hosts who would be desperate for a win to appease their fans for their fallout at the CAF Champions League campaign.
Kotoko were eliminated from the preliminary stages of the CAF Champions League after losing 3-1 on penalties to RC Kadiogo from Burkina Faso. The sad defeat aroused tension among supporters with many questioning the commitment of players as well as calling for the head of the management including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nana Yaw Amponsah.
However, a win against arch rivals Hearts could calm tempers and perhaps provide some great deal of serenity within the Kotoko fraternity.
Kotoko’s fate lies in their own hands as they go into the game with huge pressure on their shoulders as they attempt to give their supporters something to cheer about.
Meanwhile, Hearts would be determined to deepen the woes of their rivals and also get their campaign on the right path.
Hearts are yet to secure a win after two opening matches with a defeat and a draw and getting a win at the expense of their arch rivals would be a huge boost.
Despite the absence of their talisman, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, who is on international assignment with the Black Stars, Hearts could boost of the likes of Gladson Awako, Mohammed Alhassan and Kojo Junior Obeng to torment their arch rivals.
In other week three fixtures tomorrow, Karela will face off with Dreams FC at the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park, while the Cape Coast Sport Stadium would see newly-promoted Kotoku Royals and Nsoatreman FC battling it out.
At Dormaa, Aduana Stars will battle it out with Samartex in a very cagey encounter, while Babiani Gold Stars square off with Bechem United at the Bibiani Park.
At the Tamale Stadium, Real Tamale United (RTU) would engage Legon Cities with the last fixture for the week between Berekum Chelsea and Medeama scheduled for Monday at Dormaa – following the rejection of the Golden City Park by the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
Accra Great Olympics and King Faisal will begin weekend lineup of exciting fixtures with a mouthwatering clash at the Accra Sports Stadium today.
BY MICHAEL D. ABAYATEYE
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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