Sports
Kudos MoYS, NSA, but…
The news of the Accra and Cape Coast Sports Stadiums getting approval of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host Category 3 matches was a welcome piece of news.
Like is said in our local parlance, the decision actually ‘saved our skin.’
It would have sounded very disgraceful to hear Ghana moving from one country to the other, looking for a place to ‘host’ our international matches.
It would have been the lowest ebb to which our football dropped.
Kudos to the agencies responsible for this swift action – the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) and the National Sports Authority (NSA).
The two agencies deserve a praise for the short period within which they managed to turn things around; but where there are blames, they cannot not also escape.
And in this instance, the blame would lie squarely at their doorstep for sitting for too long, ignoring concerns of players and media reports about problems with playing on the field.
Whatever problems can be identified at the various stadia across the country did not happen in a single day. It was a gradual thing, yet the authorities ignored it because, expenditures on them may not be ones with immediate rewards.
They were only in a haste to do business with either Shatta Wale or Stonebwoy for quick financial returns.
One would wonder why venues like the Baba Yara, Accra, Cape Coast and Aliu Mahama (Tamale) sports stadiums would all deteriorate and nothing would be done about them.
Perhaps, to prove to Ghanaians that those in charge of the facilities are on top of their jobs, a small fly in the person of Dodzi Numekevor was fired from post as Acting Director General of the NSA over problems that had persisted for many years when he was actually in office for just six months.
But instead of dwelling on the past, it is important to move on and make sure Ghana as a country do not return to these dark times with sports infrastructure.
And the wording of the CAF communication to the Football Association must always keep us on our toes.
The letter from CAF to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) General Secretary, Prosper Harrison Addo (Esq.) read:
“Following a comprehensive review of the reports of the CAF independent inspection regarding the Cape Coast and Accra Sports Stadia, we are pleased to inform you that the Accra Sports Stadium has been approved to host the AFCON Qualifiers for Morocco 2025. Specifically, it will host the Group F – Matchday 3 encounter between Ghana and Sudan, which is scheduled for October 11, 2024.
In light of this approval, we kindly request that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the stadium management team to prioritise the necessary enhancements to the pitch and other critical areas of the stadium leading up to the match day to ensure an optimal experience for both teams and the attending fans.
Please note that CAF will continue to closely monitor the readiness of the stadium for this match, as well as for future CAF-sanctioned events.”
The approval therefore is specifically for the Black Stars-Sudan encounter. Other Category 3 matches would require similar approvals, the reason of the quest improve the state of the various venues must be sustained.
By Andrew Nortey
Sports
Can Medeama tame Heart of Lions?
The 2024/25 Ghana Premier League (GPL) reaches week five this weekend with intriguing clashes across the various centres.
The action spot would surely be the Tarkwa and Abosso (T&A) Stadium where highflying league leaders, Medeama SC, engages Kpando Heart of Lions today at 6pm local time.
Medeama is currently enjoying a perfect run and seem to be working towards the vow to return to Africa club competition by winning the league.
That appear to have been bolstered by the fact that they have one of the finest venues in the competition and pushed a vibrant supporter’s wing.
At home, they look good to maintain their good run against the Kpando side who have also given a good account of themselves so far.
It may look like a clash of equals but the Mauves and Yellows possess more firepower to end up victors.
Following from tomorrow, Asante Kotoko would return to their adopted Len Clay Stadium base in Obuasi to welcome Accra Lions.
Kotoko have performed creditably so far and would hope to annex the maximum points after dropping points against Berekum Chelsea last week.
But against a resurgent Accra Lions, who recorded their first win last week, it will be a tall mountain to climb.
Karela United will welcome defending champions, FC Samartex 1996, to the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale, what also promises to be full of fireworks.
At the Nana Konamansah Park at Nsuatre tomorrow, Nsoatreman FC will host Legon Cities in a battle the host would use to redeem themselves after losing 3-1 to Accra Lions in the previous week.
The GoldStars FC versus Bechem United game at the Duns Park in Bibiani will be expected to be full of fireworks just as Berekum Chelsea engagement with Young Apostles FC at the Golden City Park.
Winless Dreams FC will maintain the hunt for a first win when they play Nations FC at their adopted Tuba Astro turf while the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports complex in Tema host the battle of the GPL debutants, Vision FC and Basake Holy Stars.
Hearts of Oak and Aduana Stars opened the weekend’s round of matches yesterday at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra, yesterday.
By Andrew Nortey
Sports
Hearts of Oak host Aduana FC today in a crunchy encounter
Accra Hearts of Oak host Aduana FC in a crunch matchday 5 fixture of the Premier League on Friday October 4, 2024, at the University of Ghana Stadium.
The Phobians are in search of their second successive home win of the 2024/25 campaign in what promises to be an exciting matchup.
The Ghanaian giants revived their campaign after a difficult start to beat Bechem United at home and bagged a point at Nations FC last weekend.
They are back in the capital to face Aduana FC at the University of Ghana Stadium. Kick off 18:00 GMT (6pm local time).
Hearts of Oak have recorded one win, one draw and suffered two defeats. They will be eager to bag their second win of the season.
Two consecutive defeats and two consecutive draws have seen the two-time league champions Aduana FC sit at the 17th place in the league table with just two points.
The visitors remain winless so far, scoring just four goals and conceding six in four Premier League matches heading into this fixture.
Aduana FC head into this fixture with the most number of away defeats (14) in the league since 2023.
Hearts of Oak have played Aduana FC three times at home in the league since 2020/21 season with Hearts of Oak winning one, drawing one and losing two.
In the 2020/21 season, Hearts of Oak beat Aduana FC 2-0, drew 1-1 in the 2021/22 season, lost 0-2 in the 2022/23 season and recorded a 0-1 defeat in the 2023/24 season.
Both Coach Yaw Acheampong and Abubakar Ouattara will be aiming for some respite as they face off at the University of Ghana Stadium on Friday night.
