Sports
Up your game, Stars
Black Stars players celebrate a goal
Four days after Ghana’s pride as a football nation was punctured badly at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, fans kept hopes alive, believing that the Black Stars would bounce back with a victory over Niger at a neutral venue.
But that was not to be as the team stumbled again, conceding a late goal by the Nigeriens to deny the Black Stars a vital three points to revive their campaign to Morocco 2025 AFCON.
The two heartbreaks contributed to make the week one that football fans would want to erase from their memories.
Without any major achievement in recent years from the Black Stars, Ghanaians have guarded jealously a striking, remarkable and enviable record of making the Baba Yara Stadium venue a fortress for over 20 years.
Statistically, Ghana has been unbeaten in the last 24 years at the venue. That should be enough confidence booster for any faint-hearted fan.
But to see that record torn into pieces by a country not considered as a powerhouse is certainly a bitter pill to swallow.
The fans reacted aggressively following the shock defeat by causing destruction to facilities in the stadium, an action that cannot be justified but it is important to also state how unacceptable it was.
With those points lost, attention switched to a do-or-die battle against Niger at a neutral ground.
Despite the poor show in the first game, a bit of confidence prevailed ahead of the Niger game.
That stemmed from the blame game by officialdom on the quality of the pitch at the Kumasi Stadium. Photos and videos of the Berkane pitch suddenly dominated social media space, giving the hope that fans were about to see the Black Stars all expected.
Indeed, they showed glimpses of that but like it is always said, the end justifies the means.
Despite taking a first half lead from defender Alidu Seidu, the Stars went to sleep while the Nigeriens took over and stunned with the equaliser.
That was a blow too heavy for the fans to take and exposed what looks like a team lacking quality on the field and the bench.
Truth be told, watching the Black Stars is becoming a hell of a task for a lot of fans. Getting good pitches to play on has become a challenge. That is compounded by the poor display from the same players that performs incredibly with their respective teams abroad.
For Otto Addo, he is fast losing the confidence fans had in him and the earlier he ends the trend, the better would it be for him.
Struggling with AFCON qualifiers is not a good signal because it is the same matches all other countries are using to test their strength ahead of the World Cup qualifiers which would demand far more than what is at stake now.
By Andrew Nortey
Sports
Anyone who openly display political group paraphernalia will be arrested-NSA
The National Sports Authority in a statement has issued a strong warning to any persons or group intending to use Ghana’s AFCON Qualifier against Sunday to stage a protest.
According to them the Police will subdue any attempt by fans to use today’s game as an opportunity to display political paraphernalia to send a message, adding that CAF rules prohibit political messaging.
In a statement, they noted that “It has come to the attention of the Authority that some individuals intend to use the game between the Black Stars of Ghana and their Sudanese counterparts as a platform to promote an agenda that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) frowns upon.”
The statement further added that “Any individual or group of persons who openly display any political or pressure group paraphernalia, apparel or placards at the Accra Sports Stadium will be apprehended by the security apparatus who will be deployed in and around the facility. In this regard, football fans are advised to adhere to all the match day security regulations before, during and after the game in order to avoid any form of arrest or sanctions.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Sports
Young Apostles dare Hearts in Wenchi
Ghana Premier League (GPL) debutants, Young Apostles FC, will engage Accra Hearts of Oak in a match day six headliner at the Wenchi Stadium tomorrow.
It is expected to be full of fireworks as both teams struggle to return to winning ways, having fumbled in their last games.
Under greater pressure to deliver the maximum points are the Phobians who have plunge into another winless streak stretching two games after appearing to have found a winning formula.
They had a big chance to defeat a 10-man Aduana SC in the previous encounter but failed to capitalise on the advantage.
They will find it tough again to beating Young Apostle who would take inspiration from colleague debutant, Holy Stars, win over the Phobians in Accra in the opening day games.
The Young Apostles have not been at their best, however, they are very determine to upset the inexperienced, Phobians side.
Defending champions, FC Samartex 1996, host Nsoatreman FC at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, Basake Holy Stars entertain Karela United at home, while Nations FC host GoldStars FC at the Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex.
Today at the University of Ghana (UG) Sports Stadium, Accra Lions FC will host Berekum Chelsea in a very tricky tie.
Also, Heart of Lions would be at Kpando to slug it out with Vision FC in what looks like a game of equals.
However, matches between Legon Cities’ and Asante Kotoko and Bechem United and Medeama SC have been postponed.
The postponement was occasioned by Kokako’s travel to the United States of America to honour an international friendly against DC United.
By Andrew Nortey
