Sports
Samartex, Nsoatreman cautious ahead of 2nd leg CAF ties
Emmanuel Mamah- Samartex FC
Ghana’s CAF continental club competition campaigners, Samartex FC and Nsoatreman FC, will look to finish off a successful first test in the first round of the preliminary stage of the Champions League and the Confederations Cup competitions this weekend when they take on their respective opponents.
Premier League champions, Samartex FC, will face Victoria United today in a second leg clash after earning a vital 1-0 away victory last week at the Douala Japoma Stadium in Cameroon.
FA Cup winners, Nsoatreman FC,also trounced visiting 10-man,Elect-Sports FC, from Chad 3-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Ghanaians expect to see both clubs sail through to the next round, but the coaches of the two sides are cautious.
For Samartex FC Head Coach, Nurudeen Amadu, tomorrow’s game will be approached as if there was no first-leg victory.
The winner of the tie will face either AS GardeNationaleNigérienne (AS GNN) of Niger or Raja Club Athletic in the second round in September. Raja Club Athletic take a 2-1 lead into the second leg this weekend in Morocco.
In faraway Cameroon today, Nsoatreman will aim to protect their 3-0 lead when they play as guests of Elect-Sports.
The coach of the side, Yaw Preko, has described the game as a very crucial one.
Coach Preko believes the game would be tough, judging by the standards Elect-Sports showed in the second half even with a man down.
The winner of the tie would face the winner of the CS Constantine of Algeria versus Police FC of Rwanda game. CS Constantine carry a 2-0 advantage into the second leg this weekend in Rwanda.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
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.
