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Premier League round-up: Medeama maintain perfect start; Young Apostles, FC Samartex grab late wins

The Premier League match day 4 served up some incredible matches on Sunday afternoon, with a number of goals flying across the venues.

After Nsoatreman FC lost at Accra Lions on Saturday, there was plenty on the line for the other teams in the Ghanaian top-flight this weekend.

Basake Holy Stars 1-2 Medeama SC

Medeama SC extended their 100% start to the season to three games with a 2-1 win against Basake Holy Stars at the CAM Park on Sunday.

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Striker Diawise Taylor was their hero, scoring a screamer on his return to his former ground to snatch the winner for the visitors to maintain their perfect start to the 2024-25 Premier League season.

In-form defender Kamaradini Mamudu put Medeama ahead in the 57th minute before Issah Yakubu pulled parity three minute later.

Diawise Taylor sealed victory with a remarkable strike in the 64th minute to separate the two teams at the CAM Park.

The Mauve and Yellow sit pretty at the top with nine points from three matches following successes over Accra Lions, Legon Cities and Basake Holy Stars.

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Legon Cities 0-2 Karela United

Karela United recorded their first win of the season with a vital 2-0 win at struggling Legon Cities at the University of Ghana Stadium on Sunday.

The Pride and Passion ended their poor run of results with a remarkable win in the capital to pile pressure on the Royals.

A goal in each half half from Giyasu Ibrahim and Muhammed Hadi helped Karela United to the crucial win and lift them on the league table.

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Ibrahim opened the scoring in the 14th minute before Muhammed Hadi sealed victory with an 88th minute strike to separate the two teams.

Legon Cities are now without a win after four matches in the 2024-25 Premier League campaign so far.

Berekum Chelsea 1-1 Asante Kotoko SC

Berekum Chelsea shared the spoils with Asante Kotoko in an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Golden City Park in Berekum on Sunday.

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Michael Kyei Dwamena put the Porcupine Warriors ahead in the 2nd minute before Zackaria Fuseini pulled parity in the 61st minute.

The two teams failed to break down each other as they shared the points in Berekum.

FC Samartex 2-1 Vision FC

FC Samartex survived a late scare to beat resilient Vision FC 2-1 at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena on Sunday.

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Michael Ephson’s injury-time winner secured the maximum points for the Timber giants.

Edward Agyemang put the ball into his own net before Edward Agyemang scored to level matters. But Michael Ephson stepped up to score the match-winner in the 92nd minute.

Nations FC 0-0 Hearts of Oak

Nations FC and Hearts of Oak shared the points in an exciting matchday 4 Premier League encounter at Abrankese on Sunday.

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Nations failed to break down a resolute Hearts of Oak side at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex but keep their unbeaten home record intact.

Bechem United 1-0 Dreams FC

Christian Owusu’s own goal condemned Dreams FC to a 1-0 defeat at Bechem United in Sunday’s matchday 4 cracker.

Owusu turned the ball into his own net in the 32nd minute at the Nana Gyeabour Park as United bagged their first win of the season.

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Young Apostles FC 3-2 Aduana FC

Young Apostles FC came from behind to beat Aduana FC 3-2 in a five goal thriller at the Wenchi Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Rahman Rulf Abdul emerged the hero with a superb brace to deliver the side’s first Premier League win at the Nana Abrefa Nketia, VII Park.

Mohammed Muftawu opened the scoring for the home side before Emmanuel Marfo scored two goals for the visitors

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But Rahman Rulf Abdul’s double late in the second half ensured victory for the home side.

Heart of Lions 0-0 GoldStars FC

Heart of Lions failed to make home advantage count as they drew 0-0 with GoldStars FC on Sunday September 29, 2024.

Bashir Hayford’s men struggled in front of goal as the two teams shared the points at the Kpando Stadium.

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A look at Africa’s chances at FIFA Club World Cup

Mamelodi Sundowns set to extend their good run to the Club World Cup

With the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup soon entering the exciting quarter-finals stage, an increased in global attention will be on the African game, as four strong African contenders prepare to represent the continent at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.

The new and expanded version of the global club showpiece will take place in the United States between June 14 and July 13.

Reigning African champions Al Ahly SC, Tunisian giants ES Tunis, Morocco’s Wydad AC and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa are the four clubs set to compete in the 32-club competition featuring some of the best clubs in world football.

CAFOnline takes a look at how the four representatives might fare at the much-anticipated competition.

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Al Ahly SC – Egypt

The African champions will be making their 10th appearance at FIFA Club World Cup, with an impressive record of three bronze medals from their previous nine showings.

Guided by the 64-year-old Marcel Kohler who has enjoyed great success with the club, bagging two successive TotalEnergies CAF Champions League titles with the Red Devils, a lot will be expected of the club heading to the US firmly carrying the title of African champions.

The Egyptians face a mammoth task, having been drawn in Group A along with CONMEBOL COPA Libertadores champions SE Palmeiras (Brazil), FC Benfica (Portugal) as well as a Lionel Messi’s inspired Inter Miami CF (USA).

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The 12-time African champions will be banking on the experience of their veteran campaigners such as Hussein El Shahat, Mohammed Al Shenawy as well as Mohamed Hany who have been highly instrumental in their most recent silverware collection.

Espérance Sportive de Tunis – Tunisia 

Tunisian giants, Espérance Sportive de Tunis are headed to their fourth FIFA Club World Cup, having appeared at the competition’s 2011, 2018 and 2019 editions.

The Tunisians are yet to make a mark at the global showpiece and will be looking at stamping their authority as one of the best teams from the continent.

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Last season’s TotalEnergies CAF Champions League runners-up are drawn in Group D alongside former European champions Chelsea FC, Brazil’s CR Flamengo as well as Club Leon of Mexico.

Captained by Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida who marshals the defence, the Tunisians will be relying on the trickery and speed of their attack that will be led by the likes of Youcef Belaili and newly signed Elias Mokwana.

Mamelodi Sundowns – South Africa

This year’s edition marks Mamelodi Sundowns’ second FIFA World Cup appearance after their 2026 debut in Japan.

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The South Africans find themselves in a tough Group F alongside German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund, Fluminense FC of Brazil as well as Ulsan HD of Korea.

Affectionately known as the Brazilians for their enterprising style of play, the stage is set for the former African champions to shine under their new coach, Miguel Cardoso.

Key to Sundowns’ success will be their South American signings, Lucas Ribeiro Costa (Brazil) Marcelo Allende (Chile) as well as Lucas Suarez (Argentina) who seemed to have gelled well at the club.

Wydad AC – Morocco

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Proud hosts of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 and the FIFA World Cup 2030, Morocco will be fully behind their club Wydad Athletic Club when they make their first FIFA Club World Cup appearance.

Having successfully stamped their authority as one of Africa’s best clubs, the Moroccans will be using the global showpiece to grow their presence at the world stage.

Drawn in a tough Group G along with English champions Manchester City, UAE’s Al Ain FC as well as Italian giants Juventus, the Moroccans have a tough group stage assignment ahead of them.

Currently undergoing a rebuilding phase under former Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena, the FIFA Club World Cup presents an exciting challenge for the club, as they look to rebuild in what looks to be a new era for the former African champions.

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CAF releases draw procedure for TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Cote D’Ivoire 2025

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the draw procedure for the 2025 TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. 

Ghana will join 12 other countries for the biennial youth tournament, scheduled to take place in Cote D’Ivoire from April 26 to May 18, 2025.

The participating teams include Egypt and Morocco from North Africa, holders Senegal and Sierra Leone from WAFU A, Nigeria, Ghana, and host Cote d’Ivoire from WAFU B, Tanzania and Kenya from CECAFA, South Africa and Zambia from COSAFA, and DR Congo from Central Africa.

The 13 teams will be distributed into three groups: one group of five teams (A) and two groups of four teams (B and C). 

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The top two teams from each group will qualify for the knockout stages, along with the two best third-placed teams.

The ranking of the third-placed teams will be determined after removing the results of the team ranked fifth in Group A. 

The knockout stages will consist of the quarterfinals, semifinals, third-place match, and final.

RANKING:

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Senegal – Winner in 2023

Nigeria – Third place in 2023

Congo – Second in group stage

Egypt – Third in group stage

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Zambia – Fourth in group stage

Note: The remaining teams did not qualify.

Cote d’Ivoire, the host, will occupy position A1.

Senegal, the holder of the title from the 2023 edition, will occupy position C1, while Nigeria, the third-placed team in 2023, will occupy position B1.

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Congo, Egypt, and Zambia, the next best-ranked teams from the 2023 edition, will be in level 2.

DRAW PROCEDURES:

In level 1, Cote d’Ivoire will occupy position A1, Nigeria will occupy position B1, and Senegal will occupy position C1.

Five pots will be used for the draw:

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Pot 1: The teams in level 2 (Congo, Egypt, and Zambia)

Pot 2: The remaining seven teams (Ghana, RD Congo, Morocco, Sierra Leone, Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania)

Pot 3: Positions A2, B2, and C2

Pot 4: Positions A3, B3, and C3

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Pot 5: Positions A4, B4, and C4

The teams in level 2 will be drawn into positions A2, B2, and C2. The remaining teams will be drawn into positions A3, B3, C3, A4, B4, and C4. The remaining team will automatically occupy position A5.

Ghana last won the title in 2021, defeating Uganda 2-0 in the final in 

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