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Leaders Karela face fierce task against Aduana
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It might be dawning on Karela United that they can only carve out a piece of history in Ghana football by giving their all in battles ahead of them.
So far, they have been tremendously consistent even though they had fallen a few times in the fierce campaign.
The good thing for the westerners is that they had remained impregnably solid at home until that pride was crushed by Asante Kotoko a couple of weeks ago and as they plunge into battle tomorrow against Aduana Stars, they would be bitterly reminded of that home pain.
For the visitors, they would have to work on their away record, having only notched one in their game against Kotoko on match day 10. Sitting seventh on the league log with four points behind leaders Karela, the Dormaa-based side could count on the experience of their lads such as Yahaya Mohammed, Emmanuel Akuoku, Samuel Bio and a few others, to deliver the goods.
But after going blank in his last two games, Karela’s Diawusie Taylor – who tops the goal chart with 10 goals, could use this test to rediscover his scoring form. The likes of Richard Berko, Umar Bashir and Sadiq Alhassan are all players who can pull the strings for the leaders.
Elsewhere in Techiman, it would be a battle of survival for King Faisal who welcome struggling Liberty Professionals to the Nana Ameyaw Park today.
Both sides have been poor in the campaign with three wins from each side and a point difference between 16th-placed Liberty and 17th-positioned King Faisal.
Faisal still stands a chance of avoiding relegation should they snatch a win against Kotoko in their outstanding game. The count on talisman Kwame Peprah, who hold eight goals for his side, will be huge for the ‘Insha Allahu’ boys. Liberty, on the other hand, will eagerly see the return of Brite Andoh.
At the Golden City Park in Berekum tomorrow, Berekum Chelsea will welcome in-form Medeama in a mouth-watering clash. After a poor start, the Tarkwa-based side has now gone unbeaten in their last meetings as they sit fourth with four points behind Karela. Chelsea on the other hand, have picked up one defeat in their last five games and could be aiming to end the fine form of the visitors.
The return of Ahmed Toure for the Mauve and Yellow lads could be deadly for the hosts as the Ivorian import has scored three goals in his first two games for the side.
Their last trip to Accra resulted in a slim 1-0 defeat to Inter Allies, but poor away travelers WAFA SC, will be eager to make amends against Hearts of Oak tomorrow. The Phobians have gradually found the missing link after the departure of Kosta Papic with two wins and a draw in their last games.
With the announcement of Samuel Boadu as new Hearts gaffer, the former Medeama trainer will take charge of his first game and would hope to start on a good note to seal all three points.
Ebusua Dwarfs will travel to face Bechem United on Sunday afternoon at the Bechem Park in a tight contest. With just a point separating eighth-placed Bechem and 10th-placed Dwarfs, the hosts will hope to keep their fine home form against Dwarfs who also have a good away record with wins against Legon Cities, Liberty Professionals and Inter Allies. A tough game it could turn out to be.
At the Nana Ameyaw Park in Techiman, Eleven Wonders are tipped to see off an improved Legon Cities who have gone five games unbeaten. Nevertheless, Bashir Hayford can make it his second away win of the season and could count on new boy Hans Kwofie, who has found the back of the net three times in two games for the Royals.
High-flying Dreams will lock horns with Great Olympics tomorrow at the Theatre of Dreams in Dawu. Both sides are enjoying a good run in the league and would be aiming to keep their consistency. A ferocious game is guaranteed.
BY LINU SIAW NARTEY
Accra Hearts of Oak and Dreams FC will headline Matchday 5 of the Ghana Premier League when the two sides meet at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium tomorrow, with both clubs seeking a result that could shape their early season campaign.
The encounter comes at a crucial moment for the two sides with the Phobians looking to recover from their first defeat of the campaign and Dreams still searching for their first victory after four matches.
The Rainbow lads started the season strongly but were beaten 1-0 by Karela United last weekend, while Dreams suffered a slim 1-0 defeat to Bechem United.
Hearts had earlier recorded impressive victories over Berekum Chelsea and Bibiani Gold Stars before drawing goalless with Bechem United, leaving the club with seven points from their opening four matches.
Their defeat at Karela United, however, means they will be under pressure to quickly return to winning ways against a Dreams side determined to make home advantage count.
Dreams, meanwhile, have endured a difficult beginning to the campaign and will see tomorrow’s fixture as an opportunity to change their fortunes.
The ‘Still Believe’ side have collected points from only their opening draws and are yet to register a victory, making the meeting with one of the country’s traditional giants an important test of their character.
Elsewhere, Vision FC will welcome Bibiani Gold Stars to the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex today, with both teams looking to strengthen their positions.
Vision have shown encouraging form in the early stages, while Gold Stars will be seeking a response after suffering a 2-0 home defeat to newcomers Port City FC.
At the Debibi Presby Park, newly promoted Debibi United will face defending champions Medeama SC tomorrow.
Medeama finally opened their account with a convincing 4-1 victory over Basake Holy Stars and will be hoping that the result marks the beginning of a stronger title defence.
Port City FC will continue their impressive debut campaign when they host Bechem United at the Daasebere Boamah Darko II Park.
Basake Holy Stars will attempt to recover from their heavy defeat to Medeama when they host Berekum Chelsea at the Ampain AAK II Sports Arena.
Aduana FC will welcome Swedru All Blacks to the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park after producing one of the weekend’s most notable results last Sunday.
At the Kpando Stadium, Heart of Lions will host FC AshantiGold ’04 in another meeting between sides coming off victories.
FC Samartex 1996 will meanwhile welcome Young Apostles FC to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, with the home side seeking to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
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Tuesday, September 29, 2026 would go into the annals of Ghana football as one of the darkest days for the Black Stars.
In an AFCON 2027 qualifier against The Gambia, the Black Stars did not only break the hearts of the fans, but conceded a defeat that left followers with sleepless nights.
Coming from a Matchday 1 defeat to the Elephants of La Cote d’Ivoire in Bouake, the outcome of the second game against The Gambia was one that was non-negotiable.
It had the ability to spark a revival to contend for one of the slots for the next AFCON showpiece.
The Gambia is a formidable side but definitely, not one to have frustrated Ghanaians to watch in pain and awe the Black Stars lose a game from a winning position.
That is a possibility in the game of football but when the stakes are high in such cases, it becomes unacceptable to the fans.
And grievously has Carlos Queiroz answered the massive call for his resignation.
At his post-match press conference, he made it clear that bowing out was the easiest decision but insisted that would not solve the myriad problems facing the Black Stars.
For the coach to be fired two days after that declaration raises a lot of concerns as he seem to be aware of existing problems the FA may even not know.
Unfortunately, coaches over the years have always been sacrificial lambs in situations of this nature but when he talks about particular problems affecting the team, his sack leaves much to be desired.
That aside, it is important to also take another look at the country’s pool of players, both local and foreign based.
Some of us have been advocates for forming the Black Stars around the ever-present local players who may lack the skill, finesse and flamboyance believed to give the foreign based players the edge over their local counterparts.
The locals, however, compensate that with their commitment and dedication.
Sadly, it appears this consistent call have fallen on deaf ears and no one wants to give any attention to that.
If the fear is that results would be poor, then that would be no excuse again following outcomes of the Stars in their last two games.
From what was witnessed in Bouake and Accra, one can confidently boast that there isn’t much difference between the foreign based players and the locals.
If there is any, it would probably be the treatment given to the two sets of players.
The call on the FA now is to give major consideration to the local players. Any coach that sees no good in the local players must have no business handling the national team.
That does not also shut the door on the ‘foreigners’. We witnessed how the early 90s teams were beautifully blended to have a formidable team.
It is time the FA goes back to the basics. With the locals, there can be more camps, leading to improved cohesion. Any foreign based player invited must settle into the team quickly and make a difference. That is the only way to rescue the Black Stars from its free fall.
By Andrew Nortey
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