Sports
Leaders Karela face fierce task against Aduana
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
Sports
Black Starlets arrives in Morocco on U-17 AFCON mission …FA boss charges team to make Ghana proud
The Black Starlets, the national U-17 male team, have safely arrived in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team departed Accra on Wednesday, travelling with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.
They completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.
The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, was present at the Accra International Airport to bid farewell to the team.
Speaking during a brief farewell at the Airport, the FA President urged the team to carry a ‘never say die’ spirit into the competition.
President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity, particularly in difficult moments during matches. His message was inspired by the team’s recent friendly encounters against Cote d’Ivoire, where they bounced back strongly after an initial defeat.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Cote d’Ivoire in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to bounce back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” he said. “I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added.
The FA president stressed that the ability to respond positively to setbacks would be crucial in a tournament as competitive as the AFCON.
He encouraged the players to stay united and support one another when the pressure intensifies on the continental stage.
“When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together,” Okraku added. “So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, with their opening match scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-three (23) players have been called up for this month’s international friendly against Mexico.
The squad is composed of star players from the domestic league and European leagues who are closely monitored by Coach Carlos Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers.
Notable names include Majeed Ashimeru, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson, and Birmingham City’s Ibrahim Osman.
Ashimeru returns to action after a long spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury that limited his appearances at both club and national level.
Also in the team is Felix Afena-Gyan, whose last appearance for Ghana was in May last year when he featured against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Étienne, Ibrahim Osman of Birmingham City, and Paul Reverson of Ajax FC have also been included in the squad.
Midfielder Salim Adams, one of the key players for Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC, leads the group of home-based players.
Others are Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, Ebenezer Adade of Dreams FC, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson. Ghana will travel to Mexico for the international friendly on Friday, May 22, 2026.
