Sports
Oly, Hearts clash in ‘Ga Mashie’ derby
The much-heralded cracker, dubbed the ‘Ga Mashie derby’ between Hearts of Oak and Great Olympics will be waged this evening (kick off 6pm) at the Accra Sports Stadium.
It was a jamboree for Hearts last year when the two teams clashed with the Phobians running away with a 4-0 thumping of their sworn rivals in the truncated season.
Benjamin Afutu’s double, Daniel Barnieh and Joseph Esso’s efforts were enough for the Phobians to grab the bragging rights; a result Hearts will be eager to play against a very solid Olympics side.
New Oly gaffer Yaw Preko will be in search of his second win since he took over from Annor Walker as he seeks to halt the Phobians. With both sides recording a point each from their last encounter, a win for Hearts could secure the first position, while victory for the ‘Dade’ boys assures them of a second position on the log.
With no news concerning injuries, the individual brilliance of Oly’s skipper Gladson Awako could come to play while youngster Hearts’ Manaf Umar would hope to pull the strings for Coach Kosta Papic.
The tricky moments continue tomorrow where Asante Kotoko travel to lock horns with Ashantigold SC in the ‘Ashanti derby’ at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium on a Sunday afternoon. The last meeting between both sides ended in a 0-0 stalemate at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi. This time around, the Porcupine Warriors will make a two-hour trip to the mining town to face Ashgold in a very cagey game. Both teams picked up defeats in their previous game and will be hoping to make amends.
Kotoko will be elated with the comeback of Mudashiru Salifu in midfield and forward Osman Ibrahim could make a return to the team as interim coach Johnson Smith is positive ahead of their clash.
Top scorer Hans Kwofie, who missed out in their defeat to Legon Cities last weekend, will be available for the Miners. A win for any side could push them to top spot as they both boast of 16 points each.
In other fixtures, languishing King Faisal will host Berekum City at the Ohene Ameyaw today at 3pm.
It will be a battle of survival tomorrow at the Accra Sports Stadium when Inter Allies square off with Legon Cities, while WAFA welcome struggling Liberty Professionals to the Sogakope Red Bull Arena with Dreams FC traveling to face Elmina Sharks at the Nduom Park at 3pm.
Table-toppers Karela United will host Medeama SC at the Anyinase Park at 3pm with Aduana Stars hosting Ebusua Dwarfs at the Agyeman Badu I Park in Dormaa.
As of press time, title favourites Bechem United were squaring off with Eleven Wonders at the Bechem park.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
Sports
Minister of Sports and Recreation boosts Black Stars morale ahead of World Cup qualifiers
Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Iddi Adams visited the Black Stars at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday to motivate them ahead of their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar.
Accompanied by Director General of the National Sports Authority Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, Mr.Adams welcomed the team to Accra and wished them well in the upcoming games.
He assured the team that the stadium would be in top condition for the Chad game.
The team, which opened camp on Monday, had nine players train at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Ghana will host Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, March 21 before facing Madagascar on Monday, March 24, 2025.
Sports
Rospak FC narrow gap with Zone Two leaders Swedru All Blacks after hard fought win
Sekondi Rospak FC secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over league leaders Swedru All Blacks, extending their impressive home winning streak to eleven consecutive matches this season.
Rudolf Junior Mensah opened the scoring for Swedru All Blacks in the 29th minute, but Joseph Ntow Ansah equalized for Sekondi Rospak FC just before halftime.
Stephen Anthony Kofi sealed the win for the home side with a penalty kick two minutes into the second half. The defeat marks Swedru All Blacks’ second consecutive loss, leaving them just a point ahead of Sekondi Rospak FC.
In another Zone Two match, Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs defeated Sefwi All Stars 2-0 at the Robert Mensah Park on Sunday.
Hafiz Alhassan scored the opener in the 43rd minute, while Godfred Eshun sealed the win with a stoppage-time goal. The victory propelled Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs to third place in the league table with 37 points.
Meanwhile, King Faisal and PAC Academy played out a goalless draw in a thrilling encounter at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Despite numerous scoring opportunities, neither team could find the back of the net.
King Faisal’s Michael Osei was named player of the match. The draw left King Faisal with 27 points, seventh in the league table.
