Sports
Premier League: Nations go top of table: Gold Stars drop to third; Bechem United compound Legon Cities’ misery
Nations FC surged to the summit of the Premier League table following a narrow 1-0 victory over Accra Lions at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex on Sunday, May 4, 2025, as the title race intensifies with just four matches remaining.
Sadiq Alhassan was the hero for Nations, netting the decisive goal in the 62nd minute to guide his side to a vital home win.
The result lifts Nations FC a point clear of both Heart of Lions and Gold Stars FC, who suffered contrasting fortunes over the weekend. Accra Lions, meanwhile, dropped into the relegation zone following the defeat.
Gold Stars stumble as Karela United stun in Bibiani
Gold Stars FC relinquished top spot after a shock 1-0 home defeat to relegation-threatened Karela United. Mohammed Asigre Sulemana’s 43rd-minute goal handed the visitors a priceless win and a massive boost in their fight for survival.
The loss sees the Miners drop to third in the standings, now trailing Nations FC by a single point. Karela move just above the relegation zone, sitting on 32 points from 30 matches.
Heart of Lions roar to second
Heart of Lions climbed to second place with a spirited 2-1 victory over defending champions FC Samartex 1996 at the Kpando Stadium. First-half strikes from Yaw Danso (8’) and Nana Kwame Oppong (20’) gave the hosts a commanding lead, before Baba Hamidu Musa pulled one back from the spot in the 58th minute. The win leaves Heart of Lions just a point off the pace, while Samartex slip to seventh in the standings.
Young Apostles triumph in New Boys’ battle
Young Apostles earned a crucial 2-0 win over fellow league newcomers Basake Holy Stars at the Wenchi Stadium,. Second-half goals from Joseph Quansah and Emmanuel Fosu Kyei propelled the Apostles to 12th on the table. Holy Stars drop to 13th, as both sides continue to navigate a tense relegation battle.
Aduana edge Chelsea in five-goal thriller
Aduana FC edged Berekum Chelsea 3-2 in a pulsating encounter at the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park. Alex Boakye opened the scoring in the 14th minute, with Stephen Amankona leveling before the break. Elvis Addo restored Aduana’s lead early in the second half, only for Amankona to respond again just four minutes later. Godfred Waki settled the contest in Aduana’s favour with a 75th-minute strike. The win sees Aduana move up to 11th, one place behind Chelsea in 10th.
Bechem United compound Legon Cities’ misery
Bechem United picked up a narrow 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Legon Cities, courtesy of Dalvin Yeboah’s 74th-minute goal at the Nana Gyeabour Park. The result keeps Bechem in mid-table, while Legon Cities remain 17th with 25 points, deep in the relegation mire.
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.
