Sports
Off they go! …as Aduana, Hearts set to explode
After nearly eight months of hiatus, the Ghana Premier League (GPL) will kick off this afternoon with an amperage of thrill.
Football came to a halt after the sporting fraternity was hit with the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, the game is on.
However, fans’ desire to see former general captain of the Black Stars, Asamoah Gyan, display for Legon Cities against Berekum Chelsea on day one of action, may be put on ice.
Gyan is said to have been ruled out today due to lack of fitness.
But a greater attention will go to Dormaa where Hearts of Oak face two-time champions Aduana Stars in what is anticipated to be full of fireworks.
The Phobians last won at Dormaa in 2014, but the previous meeting between both sides was in February 2020 during the truncated GPL when Hearts rescued a point in an intriguing stalemate.
Both sides have been busy on the transfer market to strengthen their respective sides but Aduana will seek to continue their dominance over Hearts in the clash.
AshantiGold will begin their campaign with a home game against Karela United in Obuasi as the Miners seek to dominate the Anyinase side.
The three meetings between them have seen Ashgold pick up two wins and Karela, a single win.
Accra Great Olympics have vowed to give Medeama SC a fight of their lives when they clash at the Akoon Park on Sunday.
In their struggling state, Medeama laboured and capitalised on a late goalkeeping error to snatch victory over the Wonder Club who have pledged to pay their hosts back in their own currency.
Without doubt, it will be a cracker for the local fans as a rejuvenated Olympics side aim to stun a determined and resolute Medeama outfit that will have the experienced Justice Blay in the team.
Medeama have won three over Olympics and one has resulted in a draw and will be tipped to emerge victorious from this game.
Porcupine Warriors Asante Kotoko picked up a narrow win over Techiman XI Wonders during their last meeting in 2019 and are looking forward to deepen the woes of the Techiman based-team when they clash.
Kotoko have snatched wins in three out of the four meetings, while the Wonders have only managed a draw. Kotoko have strengthened their side with a couple of signings and are considered one of the favourites for the GPL trophy.
King Faisal will attempt to kick off on a positive note when they travel to Sogakope in the Volta region to take on the West Africa Soccer Academy (WAFA) at the Red Bull Arena.
WAFA last lost a game there in 2020 when Liberty Professionals defeated the youngsters 2-1 in the GPL.
Despite a streak of poor results last season, King Faisal will hope to pick up their first win in many league matches.
The ‘Fante-derby’ will see Ebusua Dwarfs welcome Elmina Sharks to the Cape Coast Stadium.
Liberty Professionals will engage Bechem United in a dicey game.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
Ashantigold SC has terminated the contracts of three members of its technical team with immediate effect.
The affected officials are head coach and technical director Abdul Karim Zito, assistant coach Ernest Okyere, and goalkeepers’ trainer Robert Dabo.
The decision was announced in a statement signed by the club’s Chief Executive Officer, Edward Kwasi Akuoko.
According to the statement, the decision was taken following a consultative meeting by the Interim Management Committee on Monday, October 26, 2026.
The club says a caretaker coach has been appointed to steer the affairs of the team until a substantive coach/technical director is appointed.
Management expressed gratitude to the affected officials for their contribution and service to the team and wished them well in their future endeavours.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
England captain Harry Kane says it was extra special to be presented with the Ballon d’Or by one of his childhood idols.
Kane made the comment after receiving the prestigious award from former Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazario.
“Ronaldo was one of my idols growing up,” Kane said.
The Bayern Munich striker described the moment as surreal, being honoured by a player he looked up to as a young footballer.
Kane was announced as the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner on Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium, marking the 70th anniversary of the award and the first time the ceremony was held outside France.
The 33-year-old beat stiff competition from second-placed Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal to win his first ever Ballon d’Or.
He becomes the first Englishman to win the coveted individual award in 25 years since Michael Owen in 2001, and only the fifth Englishman ever after Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen.
He is also the first Bayern Munich player to win the award since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981.
Kane won the award after a remarkable season in which he scored 61 goals in 51 club matches, the most a Bayern player has ever scored in one campaign.
Including England matches, it was 73 goals plus eight assists in 65 matches. His 73 goals is the second-highest single-season total ever behind Lionel Messi’s 82 in 2011-12.
Despite the goal haul, Kane did not win the Champions League or World Cup, with Bayern losing 6-5 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals and England losing 2-1 to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final before finishing third.
The award was presented by Brazilian great Ronaldo Nazario, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner himself, adding what was described as a special dimension to Kane’s historic achievement.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
