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MTN FA Cup final … Nations FC, Dreams FC ready for showdown
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Ghana Premier League side, Nations FC, may have suffered the drop in the just ended Premier League and are destined for a fresh campaign in the Division One League (DOL).
But they stand a huge chance of remaining in the elite stage of the game as they face Dreams FC in an epic MTN FA Cup final at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium tomorrow at 6pm.
Dreams FC have been there before; going ahead to taste the honours in the 2022-23 season after defeating King Faisal.
Coming from a season that saw them crawl from the initial stages of the league to finish on a respectable fourth position, they come in as strong favourites to double their honours in the nation’s second top football competition.
History favours them in this regard. On their first final, they conquered and based on this, connoisseurs of the game have tipped them to make it ‘two-on-two.’
But Nations FC have been empowered by the age-old adage that “He that is down need fear no fall.”
Nothing can be worse than suffering relegation and exiting the limelight as far as exposure is concerned.
But the FA offers a decent opportunity to make them stay relevant.
Conquering Dreams FC would not just make them MTN FA Cup champions. It will grant them the prestigious slot to represent Ghana in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) second tier club competition- the Confederations Cup.
With Dreams FC harbouring the same ambitions, the stage is, therefore, set for a final that promises to be explosive and uncompromising.
The situation of Nations FC might have come to many as a surprise, considering their promising start to the season, with their defence especially, marshalled by Black Stars defender, Razak Simpson, and colleague central defender, Raymond Grippman, earning a lot of reviews.
But despite the struggles they endured at certain times of their campaign, the MTN FA Cup always provided slices of good fortunes as they managed to navigate their way to the final.
Road to the top
Nations FC began the MTN FA Cup competition on a promising note, enjoying some good runs with a win over DOL Zone Two side, Ebony FC, in the Round of 64.
That landed them in a tricky encounter with another high-flying Zone Two candidate, AshantiGold SC, a side that eventually won the title from the zone to qualify to the Premier League, but escaped.
At the round of 16 stage, they encountered and defeated Ghana Premier League side, Swedru All Blacks, 2-1 to gain progression to the quarter final stage where they edged Berekum Chelsea on penalties.
A dicey semi-final awaited them against Aduana FC in Swedru. It was a game Nations was given little chance to escape considering Aduana FC’s form but once again, they conquered to secure a final berth.
In total, the Abrankese-based club have scored eight goals and conceded only two throughout the competition, making them one of the strongest defensive sides in the tournament.
For Dreams FC, they defeated Division One League Zone Three side, Semper Fi, 2-1 to progress to the next stage of the competition where they accounted for Division Two side, Asanska FC, 2-0.
That handed them a quarterfinal berth where they faced Inter Allies and drew one all before winning 4-3 on penalties.
The happiest moment in their success story was a 3-2 semi-final win over GPL winners, Medeama SC.
With that feat, Dreams have been touted as potential winners as the match comes at a time the Nations FC side may be psychologically down over the weight of the challenge they face in the next season.
However, the competition has gain notoriety for not following any form guide and outcomes mostly coming as major surprises.
In this regard, Dreams may be tipped as favourite candidates but though Nations are wounded, the stakes could revive an insatiable desire to apply the brakes to turn the dreams of Dreams FC into a nightmare.
Support
The support from MTN Ghana has no doubt improved competition among the clubs with the attractive incentive packages for participating clubs.
MTN Ghana, which is celebrating 30 years of operations in Ghana, formally became headline sponsors of the Ghana FA Cup in the 2010/2011 football season after the competition had returned from an eight-year hiatus.
The first edition under MTN sponsorship was won by Nania FC, who defeated Asante Kotoko 1–0 in the final at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Since then, the competition has been known as the MTN FA Cup, with MTN renewing its sponsorship several times — in 2013, 2017, 2020 and again for subsequent seasons.
By Andrew Nortey
With the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season set to kick off on September 4, clubs have continued to fine-tune their squads, with a number of late additions and free-agent deals shaping up ahead of the new campaign.
From established Premier League sides such as Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak, Medeama, Aduana FC, FC Samartex and Berekum Chelsea to ambitious lower-tier clubs, there has been significant movement in the transfer market.
Here is a rundown of the notable deals involving Ghana Premier League clubs:
Medeama SC strengthen across the pitch
Medeama have been among the busiest clubs, adding depth in midfield, defence and attack. The Mauve and Yellows have brought in Etse Dogli from Heart of Lions on a three-year deal, while Emmanuel Boateng arrives from Eleven Wonders on a two-year contract. Dominic Frimpong, a free agent, has also joined to bolster the attack on a three-year deal. Other additions include Usman Safianu, Abdul Rahman Yaya, Emmanuel Annor from Nations FC, and winger Emmanuel Fobi, who arrives from Georgia’s Dila Gori on a three-year deal.
Medeama have also recruited Issah Ibrahim from Latvia, Sudanese goalkeeper Monged Abuzaid Salman, midfielder Blessing Kwabena Dwamena, Jelillu Osman from New Edubiase, Emmanuel Anokye from Sporting Club Accra, and right-back Ebenezer Adade from Dreams FC.
Port City FC add experience and attacking options
Port City have also been active, bringing in several players to strengthen their squad. Kwabena Adu Meider and Francis Gyetuah arrive as free agents, while Stephen Diyou joins from Hohoe United.
The club have also secured Gideon Waja from WAFA, Ishak Suraj from Lebanese side Al Ahly, free-agent defender Samuel Gyimah, goalkeeper Daniel Amissah on a two-year deal, and Elliot Affotey from Heart of Lions on a three-year contract. Daniel Osei Snr., a defensive midfielder from Hohoe United, completes another addition to the squad.
Hearts of Oak bring in several young talents
Hearts of Oak have invested heavily in young players, including a number of long-term deals. Abdul Aziz arrives from Swedru All Blacks on a three-year deal, while free agent Ebenezer Amoh joins on a two-year contract. The Phobians have also secured Rockson Kyeremeh and centre-back Manuel Osei Djan from PAC Academy, both on five-year contracts.
Other arrivals include Caleb Koranteng from Victory Club Warriors, Alex Banso from Namoro FC, free-agent right-back Prince Amevor, goalkeeper Vicente Anane, Ivorian forward Mamadou Kader Kourouma, and free-agent defensive midfielder Dominic Nsobila.
Swedru All Blacks continue recruitment drive
Swedru All Blacks have added a sizeable group of players. Among them are Mohammed Musah Salifu from Tamale City, David Lartey from Dreams Chasers, Prince Arthur and Kelvin Ampoful from Nations FC, and winger Samuel Osei Kofi from Nsuopun Fidelity.
Free agent Faisal Chawetey, forward Vincent Baah Jnr from Tema Faith, centre-back Michael Abrokwa from Nations FC, forward John Ahuma Ocansey, midfielder Godfred Yartey from Cheetah FC, winger Andy Koramoah from Auroras, right-back Kojo Quansah from Samartex, and defender Latif Blessing from Cheetah FC have also joined.
Samartex add four
FC Samartex have strengthened with four additions. Ebenezer Okrah and Prince Affum arrive from Sefwi All Stars, while Joshua Fuseini joins from Golden Kick. Meshack Adjetey Sowah also arrives from Vision FC on a three-year deal.
Aduana FC bolster defence and attack
Aduana FC have brought in several players, including free agent Shawkan Hunalf Mohammed, defensive midfielder Samuel Tenedu from Berekum Chelsea, and centre-back Boa-At Regain from Bechem United. They have also signed free agent Stephen Amankona, right-back Abdul Latif Mohammed from Victory Club Warriors, winger Emmanuel Abban from Bechem United, Zakaria Fuseini from Techiman Liberty Youth, and free-agent left-back Bismark Anim on a two-year deal.
AshantiGold make international additions
FC Ashantigold have recruited from both Ghana and abroad. Raphael Kodjo Etchonou arrives from ESA Academy in Togo, while Burkina Faso defender Ben Yamine Nassirou Kabore joins from Etoile Filante. The club have also signed free-agent right-back Kamal Suraje on a three-year deal and goalkeeper Kwaku Musah, also on a three-year contract.
Other additions include Fatao Seidu, Sirinu Huzaifah from Skyy FC, Saddick Ibrahim Abubakar from Skyy, Ishmael Acquah from Skyy, William Addo from Unity FC, free-agent winger Alhassan Benny, and goalkeeper Thomas Kwabena Osei from Heart of Lions.
Gold Stars add attacking firepower
Gold Stars have brought in Nicholas Amekpewu from Elmina Sharks on a three-year deal, while centre-back Claude Shooting Bortey arrives as a free agent. They have also signed Kwame Opoku, another free agent, on a two-year deal.
Heart of Lions build new-look squad
Heart of Lions have also been busy, with several free-agent signings. Francis Odoom from Hohoe United joins on a two-year deal, alongside centre-back Abdul Jalilu, goalkeeper Edmund Wireko, winger William Oduro, centre-back Pius Baffuor, winger Sena Ati, and forward Mustapha Yakubu. Stephen Afoakwa from Faith Football Academy is another addition.
Other notable movements
Berekum Chelsea have recruited forward Jamal Haruna on a three-year deal, while Diawisie Taylor, Awuah Dramani, Chyereme Shadirac, Fuseini Zakaria, goalkeeper Zulka Massawudu, and Augustine Boakye have also joined.
At Asante Kotoko SC, goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim arrives on a two-year deal, while the Porcupine Warriors have also added Emmanuel Mamah, Ivorian centre-back Koffi Marius Ange Bini, free agent Isaac Opoku Agyemang, Burkina Faso midfielder Abdoul Kader Tarnagda, Cameroonian midfielder Solomon Nsor Asaah, Moroccan goalkeeper Abdel Wadie Mourad, and Albanian defender Umar Ali from Partizani.
Karela United have signed Wisdom Jonas Manyina from RTU on a three-year deal, alongside Frank Ackom from Nsuopun Fidelity, Iddi Mahfuz, Edmund Afurapoe from Eleven Wonders, goalkeeper Kwaku Musah, Angel Ewulla, Collins Ntiful from Okwawu United, Issah Abdul Basit from Golden Warriors, forward Mohammed Alhassan Mankuyeli, Ebenezer Amegah from Hohoe United, and free-agent forward Prince Opoku Agyemang. Vision FC have also added Kwadwo Boamah from Hohoe United and Faruk Mohammed from Nations FC.
The final preparations begin
With the transfer deadline now passed and the Ghana Premier League scheduled to begin on September 4, attention will turn from recruitment to preparation.
The sheer volume of movement suggests that several clubs will enter the new campaign with significantly different squads. For coaches, the immediate challenge will be turning these new arrivals into cohesive teams before the opening whistle of the new Premier League season.
The Black Princesses will play Polish side Sleza Wroclaw, a team in the Orlen Ekstraliga Kobiet, in their first international friendly match in Wroclaw, Poland.
The game will be held behind closed doors as Ghana continue preparations ahead of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The friendly offers Black Princesses head coach Charles Sampson another valuable opportunity to assess his squad, build cohesion and sharpen tactics.
The game will be played on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the Stadion Sportowy Olawka in Wroclaw at 14:00 GMT.
The Black Princesses are making their eighth consecutive appearance at the biennial tournament, aiming to make it past the group stage for the first time in their history.
