Sports
Swedru All Blacks eye Aduana upset
Swedru All Blacks last Sunday put Berekum Chelsea to the sword on match day two of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) at the Swedru Stadium.
Being the first win of the season on their return to the championship, the win sent the entire Swedru township into frenzy as fans celebrated all night.
That win came after the first day’s defeat in the hands of Nations FC at Abramkese. Even in that game, they put up a good fight and were the first to score but succumbed to the might of the host.
Today at Dormaa, they find themselves in another difficult encounter as they play as guests of Aduana Stars, also with three points.
That suggests it’s a game of equals but if there is one team that is showing greater determination to win, then it is the ‘Ozii Ozaa’ boys from Swedru who have sworn to make the season one of their best in Ghana’s Premier League history.
They showed glimpses of a side that was gritty to stake a claim as a side to contest for the title in their first game away. If they are able to replicate the performances seen, then Aduana Stars FC, despite playing at home would be in a difficult position.
Tomorrow at the Kpando Stadium, Heart of Lions will welcome Bechem United in another tough encounter.
The Lions have proven very potent at home. Last season, they turned the Kpando Stadium into a fortress and amassed a lot of the points that made them contenders for the title.
For Bechem, they have the quality to stun the Lions at home and how they go about proceedings is what will drive the fans to the venue.
It is too early in the season to talk about struggles but if any of the sides should be cautioned to up their game, then definitely, it should be Young Apostles and Dreams FC.
Both sides felt the pressure last season and was, therefore, important that they start gathering the points at the early stages of the competition.
Tomorrow, Young Apostles would host their Dreams FC counterparts in a grueling encounter as both aim to record the first win of the competition.
Medeama SC would also play as guests of Karela FC at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium.
In other matches, Vision FC will welcome Hohoe United to the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex in Tema while Nations FC host FC Samartex at the Kwame Kyei Sports Stadium.
Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew says Ghana will leave nothing on the pitch when they face England in today’s World Cup Group L decider at Gillette Stadium.
With both teams on 3 points, Ayew said his job is to ease pressure on the younger players and hold everyone accountable, himself included.
“I’m doing my best to guide the boys, make them comfortable, take pressure off them, and help us perform,” Ayew told reporters. “I have to perform too. They have to perform too. It’s teamwork. We’re helping each other.”
Ghana come into the Foxborough clash after a 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto. England beat Croatia 4-2 in their opener.
The captain’s message was simple, “We’re going to give our 100% and we’re going to fight. I’ll make sure when we come off that pitch, we have no regrets.”
The winner takes control of Group L. Kickoff is 4:00 PM ET at Gillette Stadium.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Black Stars forward Brandon Thomas-Asante insists Ghana will carry no pressure into Tuesday’s World Cup showdown with England at Boston Stadium, saying the team’s self-belief and sense of purpose outweigh outside expectations.
Brandon provided a 95th minute assist that helped Ghana beat Panama 1-0 in Toronto.
The win left both Ghana and England level on three points in Group L following the Three Lions 4-2 over Croatia in their opening match.
Speaking to ghanafa.org Thomas-Asante is adamant that external doubt only fuels the squad.
“Everything to the best ability, it’s very much a case of we back ourselves, we believe in ourselves. Whether people on the outside doubt us, believe us, or anything that’s not what we think about. We think about why we’re here. We’re on a mission,” Thomas-Asante said.
The Coventry City forward said that mission removes any weight of expectation. “That means there’s no pressure. It’s even less pressure for us,” he explained.
“We know our fans believe, but we know that some people might want to overlook us. We use that to our advantage preparing properly and believing that we can go and do something,” He added.
England and Ghana both sit on three points heading into the Foxborough clash, with the winner set to take control of Group L. Kickoff at Boston Stadium on Tuesday.
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