Sports
Olympics can bounce back against Kotoko
High-flying Kumasi Asante Kotoko will be chasing their fifth straight victory in the on-going Ghana Premier League when they play as guests of Accra Great Olympics at the Baba Yara Stadium, tomorrow.
Fresh from their ‘Super Clash’ victory over Accra Hearts of Oak at the same venue last Sunday, Kotoko came into this game as the favourite especially at a time where the Wonder club’s performance has been on a decline.
Having lost three of their last four games, many fans of the Dade club would hope their losing streak does not stretch beyond this game, but that looks a tall order.
Another factor that makes this game very daunting for the Wonder Club is the venue, which is home to the Porcupine Lads, who would have their vociferous followers filling the stands in their numbers to cheer them on.
Current league leaders Samartex FC will trek to Bibiani Dun’s Park to test their resolve against Gold Stars FC tomorrow.
Samartex FC is looking to stretch their winning streak to four following victories in their last three games against RTU, Bofoakwa Tano and Heart of Lions.
For Gold Stars who have gone nine games without a win, it becomes a must-win encounter for them and for new Head Coach, Stephen Frimpong Manso.
At the Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex today, fifth-placed Nations FC will look to add Hearts to their growing list of casualties when they clash at 3pm.
Nations FC have won all five of their last five games and come into the game as the favourite especially as the visitors, Hearts have yet to pick a win on the road since last season.
In other games, the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium will host the battle between RTU and Berekum Chelsea tomorrow, while the Theatre of Dreams in Dawu host the Bofoakwa Tano versus Legon Cities clash.
The WAFA Park in Sogakope will be venue for the Accra Lions versus Nsoatreman FC game on Monday.
The games between Heart of Lions and Medeama SC, as well as Karela United and Dreams FC, have been postponed due to the involvement of Medeama and Dreams FC in CAF inter-club competitions.
By Raymond Ackumey
A little over six weeks ago, everything pointed to a Medeama SC coronation as 2025/26 Ghana Premier League (GPL) champions at the end of the season.
That sounds premature, considering the fact that there were close to about 15 matches before the curtain was drawn on the competition.
However, believers of that assumption were right with that call due to Medeama’s form and doughty-character.
Medeama has been fearless this season. They have been ruthless, sharp, composed and a very formidable opposition, dealing with what their opponents throw at them.
In fact, establishing a 17-game unbeaten run speaks volumes of the quality Medeama has shown this season.
Two people have been key in this transformational story – Coach Ibrahim Tanko and playmaker, Salim Adams.
As of Week 21, Medeama SC opened a yawning seven-point gap with 43 points, leading Aduana FC, Hearts of Oak and Gold Stars, all with 36 points without any indication of slowing down.
But the story has completely changed just four matches after, with Medeama currently occupying the top spot with a slim one point.
Worse of all is the failure to record a win in their last five games in the competition, surviving at the top with unfavourable results of their closest competitors.
That winless run has seen Medeama drawn in three games against Samartex FC, Aduana FC and Swedru All Blacks, and lost to Nations FC and Hohoe United.
The nature of the defeat to Hohoe United generated controversy among those who won’t accept that a penalty miss and an erratic clearance by goalkeeper Felix Kyei that gifted the Voltarians the winning goal were genuine errors.
Their recent falters should have been pleasant opportunities for second-placed Gold Stars, and Hearts of Oak to capture reins at the top, but strangely, they suffered challenges of their own; leaving Medeama hanging at the top.
These dynamics are beginning to paint a positive picture for the competition as clubs at the top fight for more points to take pole positions, wrest with strugglers who are also battling hard for survival.
Outside of the top three, with chances of assuming the top spot if the Medeama form does not see any improvement, are Karela United and Asante Kotoko.
Despite their struggles, they have an outside chance of joining the battle at the top with nine matches to go.
At this stage of the competition, the pressure will be on Coach Ibrahim Tanko and his Medeama charges. Having ‘bottled’ a seven-point gap to a single point, it is surely theirs to lose.
Tanko, in previous interviews, has parried questions over the pressure on him and the team, but their current predicament leaves much to be desired.
The next two months would witness intense battle at both ends of the table with as many as five clubs having reason to contest for the ultimate, with about the same number set for the late drama to escape the last two slots to join Eleven Wonders, who are the surest bet for demotion.
By Andrew Nortey
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A step closer to glory awaits six Ghana Premier League (GPL) club sides and two Division One clubs as they battle for spots at the semi-finals stage of the 2025-26 MTN FA Cup this weekend at the Cape Coast Stadium and the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem.
Dreams FC, the 2022-2023 champions, will clash with Heart of Lions in the quarter-finals at the Cape Coast Stadium tomorrow at pm.
Heart of Lions are going through a difficult spell in the league, having lost ground on their title aspirations that started brightly.
Dreams FC thrashed Lions 3-0 in the reverse fixture of the GPL game in January after losing 1-0 in the first round tie, and tomorrow’s game comes in to settle the scores between the two sides this season.
Although struggling, Lions lie two places above Dreams’ 12th position on the league log and will look to take that inspiration into the game.
The day’s other game will see two-time champions Medeama SC battle Access Bank Division One League (DOL) Zone Three side Attram De Visser at the same venue at 7pm.
The GPL leaders Medeama SC are in the chase for a double this season and will chase a win to appease their fans.
After defeating Asante Kotoko 4-2 on penalties in the Round of 16, Aduana FC will seek to account for Access Bank DOL Zone One B campaigners, Techiman Liberty Youth, today.
Aduana FC are in the hunt for a double this season as they are currently third on the GPL table, trailing leaders Medeama SC with five points.
Having been decisive in matches against Nsuatre FC, Victory Club Warriors and Real Tamale United to get this far, the best in the annals of the club’s history, coach Ezekiel Nii Yeboah of Liberty Youth would be out to cause an upset.
At the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem tomorrow, another interesting pairing is set to play out as the all-Premier League affair between Nations FC and Berekum Chelsea takes centre stage.
By Raymond Ackumey
