Sports
Premier League: Gold Stars go top; Medeama triumph in Western derby to move into top four
Goals from Samuel Atta Kumi and Gideon Anaba gave Gold Stars FC a gritty 2-1 win over Heart of Lions that sent back to the top of the Premier League table on Tuesday April 1, 2025.
The Miners lead 44 points, two points ahead of Asante Kotoko, who have a game in hand having beaten True Democracy at the weekend to reach the MTN FA Cup semi-final.
Samuel Atta Kumi opened the scoring for Gold Stars as early as the 14th minute before Gideon Anaba made it 2-0 to end the first half.
Nana Kwame Oppong pulled a goal back for the visitors but was not enough as they succumbed to their sixth defeat of the season.
Gold Stars have leapfrogged Asante Kotoko at the top of the table while Lions remain in third position despite the defeat on the road.
Derrick Fordjour’s magic steals show for Medeama
Derrick Fordjour produced a last-minute heroics for Medeama SC in their 2-1 comeback win over Basake Holy Stars in an outstanding matchday 21 fixture on Tuesday.
It was an electrifying moment in Tarkwa as the winger scored the decisive goal in the 89th minute to send the fans agog as the home team secured the vital win at the death.
Issah Yakubu put the visitors in front in the 28th minute before Kamaradini Mamudu pulled parity at the end of the first half.
With the derby heading to a stalemate, Derrick Fordjour popped up with the match-winner at the TnA Stadium in Tarkwa.
Medeama defender Yusif Mubarik missed a second half penalty as his side dominated the game, finishing with 66% possession, 28 total shots, and 11 corners, while Holy Stars managed only two shots on target.
The win has catapulted the Mauve and Yellow to fourth in the table 38 points, trailing leaders Gold Stars by just six points.
Basake Holy Stars have slipped to 13th in the table with 27 points from 24 matches.
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.
