Sports
Medeama vow to worsen Kotoko woes
To say Kumasi Asante Kotoko are in the most difficult part of their 2021-22 football season is stating the obvious.
The Porcupine Warriors opened a comfortable 12 points lead to make nonsense of a perceived challenge by a stuttering Bechem United side that churned out unimpressive results week after week.
And with the likes of Hearts, Olympics also producing inconsistent performances, it suggested a clean sweep for the Porcupine Warriors even with many games to spare.
But interestingly, that lead has been ‘chopped’ down to six with a revived Medeama SC picking the second place baton, after a hard fought 2-1 win over Olympics in Accra, to arrogate to themselves the challenge to stretch or determine the champions on the final day of the season.
That, perhaps, created a certain impression for a number of faint-hearted coaches including Aduana Stars’ Bessa Ben Zola, to declare the Reds runaway champions.
Leading this onslaught is a young dynamic coach, Abdul Umar Rabi, who has succeeded in re-tuning the mindset of the Medeama squad and developing a winning mentality and a die-hard attitude in the players.
They have become familiar with that character since Rabi took over the reins and will demonstrate it again tomorrow when they come face to face with the Porcupine Warriors.
A series of bad performances and a bit of ill-luck have seen the Porcupine Warriors’ fortunes dwindled, giving the chasing pack the chance to narrow the gap between them.
Despite creating a number of goal scoring opportunities in their game against Berekum Chelsea and having a man advantage after a red card incident that saw the visitors reduced in number, Kotoko still ended the game as losers.
The game before that against Aduana Stars has seen their prolific goal scorer, Frank Mbella Etouga missed two penalty kicks to draw at the end of 90 minutes.
Injuries have also contributed to their lackluster displays in recent times but would have to bounce back strongly against the Tarkwa ‘Mauve and Yellows’ who have given indication of beating Kotoko in their bid to stage a historic rally for the crown.
It will be an extremely tough task for the two sides with Kotoko as favourites but Medeama seem overly motivated to deepen the woes of the Porcupine Warriors.
The dream for top four places will continue among the top half clubs as Aduana Stars engage Dreams FC while Berekum Chelsea, right after the Kotoko conquest, return to the Golden City Park to face Elmina Sharks.
At the Tamale Sports Stadium, RTU will play as host of Eleven Wonders; King Faisal will welcome a lowly motivated Accra Great Olympics side to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium while AshantiGold oblige Accra Lions to the Obuasi Len Clay Sports Stadium.
Elsewhere, Legon Cities host GoldStars at the Elwak Sports Stadium, WAFA face Bechem United with Hearts of Oak playing Karela FC at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday.
BY ANDREW NORTEY
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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