Sports
Will the ‘Milo’ be tasty again?
AFTER all the speculation and brouhaha over who is going to succeed CK Akonnor as Black Stars’ chief trainer, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) finally settled on Serbian Milovan Rajevac, on an expectant Friday afternoon.
Many had sat on tenterhooks as to where the next manager would be coming from. Many names had been bandied around.
But the pendulum was always swinging towards Rajevac, once his identity popped up among a heap of marquee names.
The 67-year-old gaffer initialed a two-year deal with Ghana – having been tasked to break the ‘Stygian silence’ as regards Ghana’s disquieting failure to win the Nations Cup since 1982, as well as qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Milovan is enjoying a second bite of the cherry. He was first engaged in 2008, first guiding the Local Black Stars to the finals of the Championship of African Nations (CHAN), before spearheading the Stars to the quarter final berth of the FIFA 2010 World Cup, staged in South Africa. In fact, but for Luis Suarez’s deliberate handball incident in the last second of their quarter-final clash against Uruguay, the Stars would have romped into the semis. That would have been some history! African history!
Qualifying for the Qatar quadrennial football festival would be celebrated wildly by Ghanaians. But halting the Nations Cup title drought should unquestionably see an uncontrolled, hysteric jollification and merrymaking.
Indeed, victory at AFCON would have sealed many twists and turns to a dramatic denouement that have seen scores of coaches struggle to break the now 39-year-old debacle.
Milovan’s first hurdle, however, is to put back on track the nation’s World Cup qualification ambitions as he tries to assemble a compellingly winsome team against Zimbabwe (Saturday, October 9) in next month’s double header at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium and in Harare (Monday, October 11).
Somehow, the Serbian managed to waltz his way into the hearts of Ghanaians during his first romance (2008-2010) – but that tenderness would come with a lot of anticipation – which must be supported by the FA.
It was revealed that the immediate past Stars’ coach Akonnor did not elicit the requisite backing from the FA, especially with regard to player invitation into the national team. The situation, obviously, would have to change for the better if the ‘Milo’ is going to be charmingly sweet again.
Heartily, the Serbian says he is going to take full responsibility in player selections. That is good to hear.
In his previous outing, Milovan played a total of 28 games and won 12, drawn same number and lost four – scoring 35 goals and conceding 33. Not a bad record though, but he may have to improve on his concession rate and aim at scoring more.
Though only two games played, the Stars – former World Cup quarter-finalists, have not given any strong indication of making it to the Mundial. They have been very less inspiring and really discomforting in both games against Ethiopia and South Africa, selling out some rambling football of indignity to the world. That was what precipitated the exit of Akonnor.
On October 9 when they take on the Warriors of Zimbabwe, Ghanaians would expect to see a polished Black Stars that play with bountiful flair, panache and such ruthless intensity in attack.
Of course, nobody needs to tell Milo to invite players who are busy for their teams; not bench warmers, not pretenders, not those who are eager to pay money for their spot – but rather, quality actors who are prepared to give their all for the result! That is the only way Milo could make his second coming tastefully memorable again.
PlainTalk with John Vigah
THE Ghana Premier League (GPL) enters another exciting weekend with Asante Kotoko and Medeama SC set for a crucial showdown while Accra Hearts of Oak seek to strengthen their title challenge and FC AshantiGold 04 begin life after the departure of Coach Abdul Karim Zito.
The Matchday 9 fixtures, scheduled for today and tomorrow, promise another round of compelling contests as clubs battle for early season supremacy, continental ambitions and stability.
The headline fixture is the meeting between the Porcupine Warriors and the Mauve and Yellow at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium tomorrow where both sides will be eager to make a statement.
Kotoko will have the advantage of home support but the Tarkwa-based side are expected to provide a stern test for the Porcupine Warriors.
The Kumasi giants have endured an inconsistent opening to the campaign, with their recent results highlighting the need for greater consistency if they are to mount a serious title challenge.
Their 1-1 draw with FC AshantiGold 04 in the previous fixture underlined the difficulties they have faced in turning competitive performances into maximum points.
Against Medeama, the Reds must combine defensive discipline with greater attacking efficiency. Playing before their home supporters could provide the necessary lift, but they would need to avoid giving the visitors opportunities to exploit any defensive lapses.
Medeama, meanwhile, will travel to Kumasi determined to demonstrate why they are among the teams expected to challenge for the title.
For both clubs, victory would offer more than three points. It would provide an important psychological boost and strengthen their position in an increasingly competitive title race.
Hearts of Oak will also be among the teams attracting considerable attention as they travel to face Debibi United tomorrow.
The Phobians have made encouraging progress in recent weeks, with their defensive solidity and growing confidence giving supporters reasons to believe that a sustained title challenge is possible.
Their 1-0 victory over Basake Holy Stars, secured through Martin Karikari’s late strike, strengthened their position at the summit of the league after eight matches. The result also extended their winning run to three matches.
However, maintaining that momentum away from home will be another test of their credentials.
Debibi United will be determined to frustrate the visitors and use home advantage to their benefit.
Hearts must, therefore, approach the encounter with patience and discipline, particularly if their opponents adopt a compact defensive approach.
With the standings still capable of changing significantly at this early stage, maximum points could help Hearts consolidate their position at the top or reclaim it, depending on the results of their closest challengers.
Another major talking point is the decision by FC AshantiGold 04 to part ways with Head Coach and Technical Director, Abdul Karim Zito, Assistant Coach Ernest Okyere, and goalkeepers’ trainer, Robert Dabo.
The development comes as AshantiGold prepare to visit Swedru All Blacks tomorrow, presenting an immediate test for the club’s caretaker technical team.
The question is whether the coaching changes will produce the desired reaction or further unsettle a side still searching for consistency.
Swedru All Blacks, who will enjoy home advantage, will be keen to capitalise on any disruption within the visitors’ camp.
Elsewhere, Aduana FC would host Berekum Chelsea in a potentially tight contest, while Basake Holy Stars welcome Dreams FC.
Heart of Lions will face Bechem United, and Samartex take on Bibiani Gold Stars in another intriguing fixture. Vision FC will meet Port City today, while Young Apostles host Karela United tomorrow.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
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THE 24th edition of the Accra Seniors Tennis Open Championship, organised by the Accra Lawn Tennis Club, is scheduled to take place from Monday, November 23 to Saturday, December 5, 2026, organisers have announced.
Consequently, registration for the tournament has opened, offering professional and amateur players an opportunity to participate in the competition that assembles the best of the aged in the tennis fraternity.
Registration will close on Friday, November 20, 2026, with the draw and viewing for the competition scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2026 and Sunday, November 22, 2026, respectively.
Entry fees have been pegged at GH¢150 for the singles event and GH¢200 for the doubles event.
Matches will be played on weekdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The competition will feature various categories, including ladies’ singles, men’s singles, ladies’ doubles, men’s doubles, advanced social singles and doubles, as well as mixed doubles.
In the ladies’ singles event, players will compete in different age categories, including those aged up to 39 years.
The men’s singles event will feature players in the 25–34, 35–44 and 55–64 age categories.
For the ladies’ doubles event, participants will compete in the under-40 and 40-and-above categories, while the men’s doubles event will feature players aged 35–44, 45–54, 55–64, 65–69 and 70 years and above.
The advanced social singles and doubles categories, for both men and women, are designed for high-level amateur players seeking competitive matches outside the demands of professional and semi-professional circuits.
The mixed doubles event will also provide an opportunity for players to compete in combined male and female pairings.
The tournament is expected to attract players of different ages and skill levels, with spectators anticipated to witness exciting displays of skill, technique and sportsmanship throughout the competition.
By Benjamin Arcton-Tettey
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