Sports
GPL Matchday 8: Hearts face Medeama, Aduana host Bofoakwa today
The Accra Hearts of Oak versus Medeama SC tie headlines the fixtures for Matchday 8 of the betPawa Premier League.
The League champions are gradually picking up the pieces after a steady start to the 2023/24 Premier League campaign. Medeama SC started the season with a 2-2 draw against Accra Lions at home – and continued with an impressive away win (2-1) over Bechem United before losing to Aduana FC and Dreams FC respectively.
The mauve and yellows are now in 8th place with 10 points following back to back wins over Nations FC and FC Samartex 1996.
Hearts of Oak are enduring one of their worst starts to the Premier League in history after grabbing only six points and scoring only 2 goals in their six League matches.
The Phobians have won one and drawn two in three games at home – and picked only one point on the road after losing to Real Tamale United and Bofoakwa Tano and snatching a point from Bibaini against Gold Stars on Sunday.
Hearts of Oak are winless in the League since Sunday, September 24, (Matchday Two) when they pip Nsoatreman FC 1-0 at the Accra Sports stadium after the opening day defeat to Real Tamale United. The former African champions were battered 5-1 by Medeama SC last season and have to work off their socks to avoid a similar humiliation at home.
Medeama SC go into the game with loads of optimism having recovered from a slow start to the League – with two consecutive victories against Nations FC and FC Samartex in their last two outings.
Four points separate the sides – with Hearts of Oak sitting in the 16th spot with 6 points while Medeama SC find themselves in the middle belt with 10 points with one outstanding game each.
Elsewhere in Dormaa – resurgent Aduana FC will host unbeaten Bofoakwa Tano at Nana Agyemang Badu Park. Aduana FC are on a good run after winning three of their four games – including a come from behind win against Real Tamale United in Tamale – a win that catapulted them to the 2nd spot in the table with 12 points – one point behind leaders Nsoatreman FC. Two-time champions Aduana FC are unbeaten at home after picking victories over Medeama SC, Berekum Chelsea and Accra Great Olympics. The Ogya lads welcome a Bofoakwa Tano side that have yet to suffer defeat in the League following a remarkable start to the League. Aduana FC have a strong home record (3 wins from 3 games) as Bofoakwa Tano also boast of an unbeaten record in seven Premier League games.
The game is scheduled for 3pm kick off at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.
Legon Cities will travel to Sameraboi to take on FC Samartex 1996, Dreams FC will square off with Berekum Chelsea at Dawu, while Karela United entertain Bibiani Gold Stars at Aliu Mahama stadium.
Sports
Otto Addo names 23-man squad for Chad and Madagascar 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has named a 23-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar.
The team, led by captain Jordan Ayew includes three home-based players: Benjamin Asare of Accra Hearts of Oak, Kamaradini Mamudu of Medeama SC and Razak Simpson of Nations FC.
Deputy captain and Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey returns to the squad after missing four of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers last year. With over 50 appearances for Ghana since his debut in June 2016, Partey brings valuable experience to the team.
Other notable inclusions are Kamal Deen Sulemana of Southampton FC and Jerry Afriyie of CD Lugo. Sulemana has regained full fitness after a lengthy injury layoff, while Afriyie retains his spot after impressing in the match against Niger in November last year.
Belgium-based Christopher Bonsu Baah, who plays for Genk, has also received an invitation. The left-footed right-winger, capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, began his career with Accra Shooting Stars before joining Norwegian side Sarpsborg 08 and later Genk in July 2023.
The team will assemble on Monday, March 17, 2025, and train for four days before hosting Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, March 21, 2025. The Black Stars will then travel to Morocco to face Madagascar in another Group I match on Monday, March 24, 2025.
Ghana are currently second in Group I with nine points from four matches after securing three wins and one defeat, leveling them with Comoros.
Ghana’s qualifying campaign began with a 1-0 win over Madagascar, followed by a loss to Comoros. They bounced back with consecutive victories over Mali and the Central African Republic in June last year to keep their chances of qualification intact.
Below is the full Squad:
Sports
Twelve players left out of Black Stars squad due to injury
Twelve players could not make the Black Stars squad for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers due to injuries.
They include Alidu Seidu, Tariq Lamptey, Brandon Thomas Asante, Abdul Mumin, Joseph Aidoo, Abdul Manaf Nuruudeen, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Baba Idrissu, Ibrahim Sulemana, Daniel Kofi Kyereh, Majeed Ashimeru, and Joseph Painstil.
The injury details are as follows:
Alidu Seidu (Anterior Cruciate Ligament – Rehab), Tariq Lamptey (Ankle Ligament Injury), Brandon Thomas Asante (Muscle Tear), Abdul Mumin (Anterior Crucial Ligament), Joseph Aidoo (Muscle), Abdul Manaf Nurudeen (Ankle), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Anterior Cruciate Ligament – Recovering), Baba Idrissu (Recovering), Ibrahim Sulemana (Adductor Tendonitis), Daniel Kofi Kyereh (Knee), Majeed Ashimeru (Rebuilding from injury – Needs time to fully recover), Joseph Painstil (Quadriceps)
