Sports
Zito: Dreams FC feat must inspire smaller clubs
Karim Zito
Accra Hearts of Oak will look to put their league title aspirations back on track when they take on Bibiani Gold Stars at the Accra Sports Stadium tomorrow in a top match-day 24 fixture of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).
The Phobians went on an eight-match unbeaten run in the league but suffered a blip in their last game against league leaders Samartex FC who grounded that run with a 2-1.
But Coach Aboubakar Ouattara believes the only way to respond to that defeat is to pick all three points tomorrow.
Gold Stars have not been lucky at the Accra Sports Stadium, losing all their previous games against the Phobians. This remains a huge inspiration for the Phobians going into the game tomorrow.
However, they would be playing under the instructions of Coach Frimpong Manso who defeated Hearts while with Bofoakwa Tano. That also presents an inspiration for the visitors, knowing that they have a trainer who knows his way around their guests.
League leaders Samartex FC will look to maintain their hold on the championship when they host defending champions Medeama SC at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena.
Samartex will be chasing their first win over the champions in the league after losing the first-round tie 1-0.
Medeama managed to hold the Timber giants to a goalless draw at the same venue last season, however with their form, it remains to be seen how they can stop the host from grabbing all three points.
Aduana Stars hope to return to winning ways when they host Real Tamale United at their favourite Nana Agyemang Badu Park, in Dormaa.
Coming into this game without a Head Coach, the task of beating Aduana Stars away looks daunting for the Tamale lads especially after their host suffered a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Great Olympics in their last game in Accra.
In other games, Asante Kotoko will trek to the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem with the hope of picking their first point from their last four games; Accra Lions welcome Bofoakwa Tano to the Accra Sports Stadium; Nsoatreman FC will host Berekum Chelsea at the Nana Amoah Koronmasah II park in Nsoatre while Karela United face Heart of Lions at the Naa Sheriga Sports Complex in Nalerigu.
The game between Dreams FC and Legon Cities scheduled for the Theatre of Dreams in Dawu has been postponed to allow Dreams FC have their CAF Confederation Cup second leg quarter-final game against Stade Malien at the Baba Yara Stadium, tomorrow.
By Raymond Ackumey
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.
GFA COMMUNICATIONS
A new cultural, trade, and diplomatic platform celebrating Ghana-Norway ties was launched on Saturday, June 13, at Palms by Eagles Hotel, Accra.
Dubbed the ‘Akwaaba Nsuo & Velkommen Fjord Durbar 2026’, the event draws on the symbolism of Ghana’s rivers, -Nsuo, and Norway’s fjords to highlight water as a shared cultural, economic, and environmental identity.
The three-day event is scheduled for July 31 – August 2, 2026 in Oslo, Norway. Activities will include a trade exhibition, durbar of chiefs, and B2B networking sessions.
Speaking at the launch, CEO of the Durbar, Kofi Mulan, said Ghana’s rivers like the Volta, Pra, and Ankobra have long sustained livelihoods through fishing, transport, and spirituality.
Similarly, Norway’s fjords represent the cornerstone of its maritime heritage, global leadership in ocean industries, and environmental stewardship,” Mr Mulan added.
“These parallel relationships with water form the philosophical and thematic spine of the entire event. The Akwaaba Nsuo & Velkommen Fjord Durbar 2026 is therefore framed as a convergence of heritage and innovation,” he said.
Organisers say participants will benefit from Global visibility and cultural diplomacy in Europe, stronger ties with Norway, and increased market access for exports like fashion, crafts, agribusiness, and processed goods under AfCFTA frameworks on the Ghana side.
On the Norway side, they noted access to Norwegian expertise in maritime technology, aquaculture, and renewable energy, plus opportunities in fisheries, offshore energy, and sustainability projects.
The Durbar is positioned as a high-level exchange platform to deepen trade and diplomatic relations between Ghana and Norway.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
