Sports
Medeama set to cage Samartex for historic Premier League title
• Nurudeen Abdulai – Medeama’s centre-back
The penultimate round of matches for the 2022-23 betPawa Ghana Premier League (GPL) season will take centre-stage this weekend with Medeama requiring just a win to be crowned champions.
With four points ahead of second placed Aduana Stars and just two games to go, the Mauve and Yellow will square off with seventh-placed Samartex at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena tomorrow in a bid to secure the first ever league title.
The champagne would be on ice as the Tarkwa lads head into the game beaming with confidence ahead of the historic feat and its accompanying funfair.
Medeama came back from a goal down to beat King Faisal 2-1 in their last encounter and would attempt to avoid another dramatic comeback, especially playing away from home to a very resilient side.
They hope to go all out to ‘kill the game’ and hold on to the title ahead of their final game against Tamale City which would only serve commemorative purposes.
Samartex, on the other hand, had already secured their place in elite football for next season and would only be playing for pride and attempt to spoil the party for Medeama.
A win for Samartex move them above the table as they attempt to end the season amongst the top six teams in their first season in the premiership.
That would also be a historic feat for Samartex which they would fancy as they expect their vociferous fans to troop to the venue to ‘torment’ their visitors.
In other crucial games to be played tomorrow, Aduana travel to Nsoatre to face off with Nsoatreman in a must-win fixture for the visitors.
Aduana must secure all three points and hope for an upset in the Medeama and Samartex game to push the season to a dramatic grand finale.
Nsoatreman would also be desperate for all three points to cement their place in elite football next season as they are only three points above Karela in the relegation zone.
Karela, on the other hand, will host fourth placed Bibiani Gold Stars as they attempt to secure the remaining six points to possibly rise above the relegation zone.
Third-placed Bechem United host Berekum Chelsea in another cagey encounter at Bechem, while struggling Accra Hearts of Oak engage Real Tamale United (RTU) at the Accra Sports Stadium – determined to end the season on a high note.
Relegated Kotoku Royals play against Tamale City in another interesting fixture tomorrow, while another relegation-threatened King Faisal face off with Legon Cities today.
In other games today, Accra Great Olympics would also be desperate for all three points as they battle it out with Dreams FC at Dawu, while Accra Lions square off with Kumasi Asante Kotoko in another mouth-watering fixture in Accra.
By Michael D. Abayateye
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.
