Sports
Can Kotoko halt Karela’s run?
League leaders Karela United’s attempt to extend their lead at the top of the league will face fierce opposition today when they contend with Asante Kotoko in a match-day 13 Ghana Premier league clash.
Karela have taken the league by storm shocking many pundits with their early climb to the summit and their sterling performance that has seen them lose just two out of 12 games.
Impressively, the ‘Passion and Pride’ boys have won all six games at their dreaded CAM Park at Anyinase, dispatching off opponents with ease.
Despite this impressive run, Coach Evans Adotey’s boys may face the biggest threat to entrench their home invincibility against a Kotoko side who are yet to lose on the road in six outings and inflicted a 1-0 defeat on the homeside in a similar fixture at the CAM Park last year in the truncated league.
Both sides boast clinical arrowheads as Karela have in their fold the league’s top-scorer Diawiase Taylor whilst Kotoko striker Kwame Opoku would be eager to score after failing to hit the back of the net in three games.
At the Accra Sports Stadium, Hearts of Oak would pitch their strength against a resurgent Legon Cities in a local derby. Cities would be eager to continue their fine form that has seen them climb drastically out of the claws of relegation into 11th on the league log. This aim would be a long-shot with the ‘Phobians’ losing two Accra derbies against Allies and Olympics, they would be eager to reclaim some pride in the capital against Cities.
In other games, high-flying Olympics will be eager to maintain their momentum against Bechem United but would be required to produce double of their scintillating displays as Bechem United are undefeated at the Nana Gyeambour Park whilst WAFA’s quest to overcome their 3-0 loss in Dawu against Dreams would be a herculean ordeal against Aduana at Dormaa.
At the Len Clay Stadium at Obuasi, Ashantigold who are suffering a loss of form after going winless in three games face Liberty Professionals who like the ‘Miners’ have lost their way and must carve a winning plan as they battle with the threat of relegation.
Dreams FC, who are on the ascendancy, will face a difficult task trekking to Bechem to face XI Wonders, who despite a promising start have stuttered with a run of bad results with Elmina Sharks confronting Berekum Chelsea at the Nduom Park.
King Faisal would be hoping to repeat their splendid displays that saw them bounce back from 3-0 down to win 4-3 against Berekum Chelsea on Matchweek 11 against Medeama, despite losing to Olympics 3-1 in Accra on Wednesday, ‘Alhaji Gruzah’ boys have shown a determination to avoid the relegation drop with top marksman Kwame Peprah leading the charge.
Bottom-placed Inter Allies’ hopes to revive their season would have to pass the litmus test against stubborn Ebusua Dwarfs who have proven to be good travelers this season when the two sides clash in Accra.
Sports
Kurt E.S Okraku elected CAF Executive Committee member
The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has been successfully elected as a member of the Executive Committee (EXCO) of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The four-year term runs from 2025-2029.
The President, who was elected uncontested, joins the 24-member committee of the powerful body of the continent’s governing body.
Kurt Okraku’s election to the CAF Executive Committee comes as recognition of his remarkable leadership at the Football Association, where he has worked to rejuvenate Ghanaian football since taking office in 2019.
His efforts to enhance transparency, promote grassroots football, women’s football and focus on youth development have been well noted within the African football community.
With Ghana’s strong footballing tradition and legacy, the presence of the GFA boss on the CAF EXCO is seen as an opportunity to advance the interests of the country and help promote football development across Africa.
Mr. Okraku’s role will give Ghana a stronger voice in the decision-making processes that shape the future of football on the continent.
President Simeon-Okraku becomes the sixth Ghanaian to serve on the CAF Executive Committee in a list that includes Ohene Djan, Kobina Hagan, Nana Fredua Mensah, Samuel Okyere, and Kwesi Nyantakyi.
Sports
GFA concludes training of Club Safety and Security Officers and Regional Sports Security Officers
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has successfully concluded its training program for Club Safety and Security Officers (CSSOs) and Regional Sports Security Officers (RSSOs).
This comprehensive training, which took place from March 7 to March 10, 2025, aimed to throw more light on the enhance safety and security measures across Ghanaian football.
The training was conducted zonally, covering all 86 elite clubs and 16 regions. Participants were divided into three zones, with Zone 2 covering the Ashanti, Western, Western North, and Central Regions, and Zones 1 and 3 covering the remaining regions.
The training modules included:
Challenges of Safety and Security in Ghana: Identifying and addressing key safety and security concerns in Ghanaian football.
Roles of the Club Safety and Security Officer (CSSO) and collaboration with Regional Safety and Security Officers (RSSO): Defining the roles and responsibilities of CSSOs and RSSOs, and promoting effective collaboration between them.
Club Safety and Security Officer Checklist: Providing a comprehensive checklist for CSSOs to ensure that all safety and security protocols are in place.
Introduction to the Enhanced Safety and Security Protocols 2025: Introducing new safety and security protocols aimed at improving safety and security at match venues.
Practicum and scenario session: Providing hands-on training and scenario-based exercises to prepare participants for real-world safety and security challenges.
The training workshop was led by DCOP Lydia Donkor, Chairperson of the Security Committee. Others included Capt (Rtd) Nick Owusu, Vice Chairman of the Safety Committee, Julius Ben Emunah, Head of Competitions, John Ansah, Felix Bewu and Emmanuel Osei, members of the Safety and Security Committee.
This training is part of the GFA’s enhanced approach to ensuring improved safety and security at match venues across all competitions.
