Sports
Samartex to give Kotoko stern test
• Oppong – Kotoko forward
Defending champions Kumasi Asante Kotoko would be engaged in a must-win clash against FC Samartex in their match-day 22 betPawa Ghana Premier League (GPL) encounter at the Nsenkyire Sports Complex today.
With a game in hand and lying fifth on the league table – eight points behind league leaders Aduana Stars, the Porcupine Warriors would be geared up to secure a win to close the gap on top of the table.
More so, with the likes of Accra Lions, Bechem United and arch rivals Hearts of Oak not giving up of their chances of winning the league title, Kotoko must position themselves amongst the top four as the league season gets keener each week.
Forwards Stephen Mukwala and Isaac Oppong are expected to lead the lines for Kotoko and ensure they walk away with the three points against a resolute Samartex side who would also be determined to cause an upset, especially playing at their backyard.
They would definitely come up with a fight and Ibrahim Danlad must also be equal to the task as Samartex are notorious for their sharp attacking prowess.
Samartex, currently ninth on the league table and just a point behind Kotoko, are also climbing steadily with hopes of joining the top-four race.
Three points against Kotoko would be a huge boost for the new comers who seem to be on the right path as far as staying in elite football is concerned.
The other game for today would be waged at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale where Tamale City hosts Dreams FC in an interesting encounter.
The relegation-threatened Tamale City must find a win to move up the table after a very inconsistent season.
Matches for tomorrow will see Hearts squaring off with Kotoku Royals at the Accra Sports Stadium with the Phobians expected to clinch all three points to maintain their top-four position and possibly move up to keep the pressure on Aduana.
Bottom-placed Kotoku Royals might also come out with a fight as they would need some points to avoid returning to lower tier football next season.
Elsewhere, Real Tamale United (RTU) will play Berekum Chelsea at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium, while Medeama and Accra Great Olympics do battle at the Akoon Park.
Third-placed Bechem United host Karela United at the Nana Fosu Gyeabuor Park in another thriller while Nsoatreman engage second-placed Accra Lions at the Nana Kronmansah Park in Nsoatre.
Two fixtures are, however, scheduled for Monday to complete the round of matches. They are King Faisal, who take on Bibiani Gold Stars at the Dr Kyei Sports Complex, while Legon Cities face league leaders Aduana at the El-Wak Sports Stadium.
By Michael D. Abayateye
Midfielder Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto after Canadian authorities refused him entry.
A FIFA statement to The Athletic confirmed the Arsenal star cannot travel from Ghana’s base camp in Boston, USA, for Wednesday’s, June 17, opener against Panama.
“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government,” the statement read.
FIFA stressed it has no role in immigration decisions: “FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”
Canadian immigration rules state that “if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.” Partey has been charged with offenses in the UK but is awaiting trial and has not been convicted.
The Black Stars will now have to do without their midfield anchor for the crucial Group E opener against Panama.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghana have arrived in Providence, Rhode Island, for the final phase of preparations ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. The team departed Virginia on Thursday afternoon and touched down at T.F. Green International Airport in Rhode Island at about 6:00 p.m.
Head Coach Carlos Queiroz and his squad will resume training on Friday as they fine-tune preparations for their opening Group L game against Panama.
The Black Stars wrapped up a week-long training camp in Washington following their international friendly against Wales in Cardiff.
The camp in Virginia included intensive sessions at the American University and D.C. United training ground and a farewell dinner with the Ghanaian community in Alexandria.
Ghana now enters the final stretch of preparation in Providence before heading to Toronto for the June 17 opener against Panama at Toronto Stadium.
The Black Stars will also face England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27 to complete Group L.
Queiroz’s 26-man squad features captain Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, Iñaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, and goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, who is set for his second successive World Cup.
The team is expected to hold training sessions and series of Community engagement programs in Rhode Island in the coming days.
