Sports

Outstanding Premier League Matchday 20 Preview

Published

2 months ago

March 19, 2025

Net News Ghana

The outstanding matchday 20 of the Premier League takes place across seven centres on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

Here is a preview of Wednesday’s matches.

Young Apostles vs Asante Kotoko

Young Apostles welcome Asante Kotoko to the Wenchi Sports Stadium on Wednesday in the Premier League.

Apostles’ 1-0 victory over bottom-placed Accra Lions last Saturday was their seventh win in the league this season after 21 matches. They’ve secured 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat in the last five outings, having scored 14 and conceded 20 in the process.

Young Apostles are currently occupying the 10th position in the league table with 27 points. They head into this fixture with an unbeaten record in their last five successive home league games (W3, D2) without conceding in four of those games. The Wenchi lads will be desperate to grab all the spoils over the Ghanaian giants on Wednesday.

League leaders Asante Kotoko came from behind to salvage a point in a very absorbing fixture at Samartex over the weekend. That victory has seen the Porcupine Warriors record the most wins in the league so far (11). They’ve amassed 38 points in 21 league matches, having scored the joint most goals (24) and conceded 14.

Prosper Nartey Ogum’s men are the third-best away performers in the league currently and will be desperate to secure all the spoils away from home on Wednesday when they trip to Young Apostles.

Young Apostles are playing Asante Kotoko at home in the league for the first time since the Wenchi lads gained promotion into the Premier League this season.

FC Samartex 1996 vs Medeama SC

FC Samartex 1996 will hope to continue their impressive form when they entertain Medeama SC at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena on Wednesday March 19, 2025.

The league champions are unbeaten in their last seven consecutive league matches (W2, D5), having scored 14 and conceded the second joint least goals (11).

They are currently 8th in the league table with 28 points. The Timber Giants come into this fixture as the sixth weakest home side after 11 matches at home. They will be keen to snatch the maximum points on Wednesday over a Medeama SC side they’ve never lost to at home in the league since 2022.

The Mauve and Yellow have slipped to the 7th position in the league table with 32 points, following two wins and three defeats in the last five outings.

They’ve scored the second most goals in the league (22) and conceded 19. Medeama SC head into this fixture with three successive defeats in their last five matches away from home and will aim for a decent result on Wednesday.

FC Samartex 1996 have played Medeama SC twice at home in the league since 2022/23 season with FC Samartex 1996 winning one and drawing one.

In the 2022/23 season, FC Samartex drew goalless with Medeama SC and won 1-0 in the 2023/24 season.

Bechem United vs Hearts of Oak

Bechem United entertain Hearts of Oak at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park on Wednesday in the Premier League.

Ernest Danso’s men ended their two-game losing streak by defeating Premier League new boys Vision FC with two unanswered goals last time out (W2, D1, L2). The Hunters are currently 6th in the league table with 33 points, having scored the third joint most goals (21) and conceded 14. United are the best home performers in the league so far (W8, D2). They head into this fixture as the only team yet to concede at or suffer defeat at home this season. They will seek to continue their impressive home form on Wednesday.

Hearts of Oak’s seven-match unbeaten streak came to an abrupt end at the weekend as they were beaten 0-1 by Dreams FC at home soil (W2, D2, L1). They’ve amassed 36 points in 21 league matches, and are currently occupying the 4th position. They’ve scored 19 and conceded the least goals in the league (11). The Phobians are the second best away performers and will be desperate to bounce back to winning ways on Wednesday when they trip to Bechem.

Bechem United have played Hearts of Oak four times at home in the league sine 2020/21 season with the Hunters winning one, drawing one and losing two.

In the 2020/21 season, Bechem United lost 0-1 to Hearts of Oak, drawn 1-1 in the 2021/22 season, won 1-0 in the 2022/23 season and suffered a 2-3 defeat in the 2023/24 season.

Basake Holy Stars vs Gold Stars FC

Basake Holy Stars will aim to get back to winning ways when they welcome Gold Stars FC to the Ampain AAK II Sports Arena on Wednesday.

Hoy Stars are winless in their last five league matches (D3, L2), having scored the third joint most goals (21) and conceded the third joint most goals (22). They are 12th in the league table with 24 points.

The Aiyinase lads have conceded just a single goal in their last five home matches (W3, D2) and are among the top ten best home sides in the league currently. They will yearn for all the spoils on Wednesday.

Gold Stars FC remain in the second position in the league table with 37 points despite suffering 2-0 defeat at Aduana FC over the weekend (W2, D1, L2). They’ve scored 20 and conceded the second joint least goals (12) ahead of the clash. The Miners come into this fixture with three defeats in their last five matches away from home (W1, D1) and will be keen to secure victory on Wednesday.

Basake Holy Stars are playing Gold Stars FC at home in the league for the first time since the Aiyinase lads gained promotion in the Premier League this season.

Heart of Lions vs Dreams FC

Dreams FC travel to the Kpando Sports Stadium to battle Heart of Lions on Wednesday.

An impressive 1-0 victory at home against struggling Karela United last Sunday has seen Bashiru Hayford’s men record their tenth win in the league this season. They are currently 3rd in the league table with 37 points, having scored 20 and conceded the second joint least goals (12).

The Kpando lads are the second best home performers, they’ve suffered just a single defeat in their 11 home matches played this season (W8, D2, L1). They will seek to maintain their remarkable home form on Wednesday.

Dreams FC ended Heart of Oak’s seven-game unbeaten streak in a 1-0 victory away from home last time out. The Believers are currently 13th in the league table with 24 points after 21 rounds of matches. They’ve won 2, drawn 2 and suffered just single defeat in the last five outings, having scored the least goals (11) and conceded 16. Head Coach Abdul Karim Zito’s men head into this fixture as the eighth best away side and will aim for a rare outcome on Wednesday when they trip to Kpando.

Heart of Lions have played Dreams FC once at home in the league since the Kpando lads gained promotion back into the Premier League last season with the game ending in a 1-0 victory for Heart of Lions.

Nations FC vs Aduana FC

Nations FC entertain Aduana FC at the DR. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex on Wednesday.

Nations FC’s form has been up and down, with two wins and three defeats in their last five league matches. Such inconsistency is hampering their chances of securing a place in the top four. They are 5th in the league table with 35 points, having scored the joint most goals (24) and conceded the third joint least goals (13). Kassim Mingle Ocansey’s men head into the game as the seventh weakest home performers in the league this season.

Aduana FC produced spirited performance to defeat Gold Stars FC (2-0) in their previous league fixture to continue their February-March impressive form (W2, D1) as they are yet to concede a goal in the league since February. They are currently 11th in the table with 25 points, having scored 16 and conceded 17. The Fire Club are among the top ten best away performers in the league this season, they will be eager to record victory away from home for the second time on Wednesday.

Nations FC have played Aduana FC once at home in the league since the Abrankese lads gained promotion into the top-flight last season with the game ending in a 2-1 victory for Nations FC.

Legon Cities vs Vision FC

Struggling Legon Cities welcome newly promoted side Vision FC to the University of Ghana Sports Stadium on Wednesday in the Premier League.

Ending a two-game losing run with a hard-fought 2-1 win at home to Berekum Chelsea, Legon Cities are now seeking consecutive league victories for the first time since January as they continue to vie to exit the drop zone.

The Royals are 16th in the league table with 20 points, having won 3 and suffered two defeats in the last five outings. They’ve scored 16 and conceded the most goals in the league this season (29). Cities have won their last three consecutive home fixtures ahead of the clash and are the ninth-best home performers.

Vision FC fell to their third defeat in their last five league matches last Sunday (W1, D1, L3), going down 2-0 at away to Bechem United and are just three points away from the bottom three in the table. They’ve amassed 23 points in 21 matches, having scored 16 and conceded second joint most goals (24).

The Tema-based is the fifth weakest away side (D2, L3) and will aim for a favourable result on Wednesday.

Legon Cities are playing Vision FC at home in the league for the first time since the Tema base gained promotion into the Premier League this season.

Sports

Jerry Afriyie Departs Camp to Rejoin Club in Spain

Published

19 hours ago

May 8, 2025

Net News Ghana

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has officially announced the departure of Jerry Afriyie from the camp of the Black Satellites to return to his club base in Spain.

This development is in line with a prior arrangement between the GFA and the player’s club, which had indicated that they would require his return following Ghana’s first two matches in the ongoing tournament.

The Association had to rely on such an arrangement because the tournament is being played outside the FIFA window for release of players.

Jerry Afriyie made a significant contribution to the team during our opening fixtures, playing a key role in securing valuable points that have positioned the Black Satellites strongly in the quest for qualification.

While the technical team and management would have preferred to retain his services for the entirety of the competition, the GFA remains committed to honouring all arrangements with clubs in the spirit of mutual respect, cooperation and professionalism.

“We are confident that the remaining members of the squad will build on the foundation laid in the first two matches and continue to push toward our collective objective of success in the tournament,” the statement added.

The GFA has taken this opportunity to express their heartfelt appreciation to Jerry Afriyie for his dedication and service during his time with the national team, and wished him continued success at his club.

“We also thank Ghanaians at home and abroad for the unwavering support shown to the Black Satellites and urge all to continue rallying behind the team as we pursue continental glory,” the statement concluded.

Sports

Fmr GOC president Nunoo Mensah hands over to new board

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2025

Net News Ghana

• Mr Akpokavie and Nunoo Mensah (seated right to left) with new and old executive members of the GOC

The immediate past President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Mr Ben Nunoo Mensah, on Tuesday officially handed over to the new administration led by Mr Richard Akpokavie.

At a short symbolic ceremony held at the Olympic House, GOC’s offices in Accra, Mr Nunoo Mensah handed over documents, keys and other items to the new administration to officially mark the end of his tenure.

Supported by some of his members, including Mr Frederick Acheampong, the immediate past Treasurer of the Committee, Mr Nunoo Mensah documents covering transaction and project to the new administration and welcomed them into office.

He was also full of gratitude to the members he worked with and urged the new team to work together in order to improve Ghana sports with special interest on the completion of the OlympAfrica Project at Amasaman.

Also supported by his Treasurer, Evans Yeboah, and General Secretary, Mohammed Muniru, Mr Akpokavie, the newly elected president, thanked the old team for the cooperation and pledged to work with all to better the lot for Ghana football.

“We’ll work diligently to maintain and improve legacies presented to us. All we want is the support from the board, the federations and media to place Ghana Sports and the GOC where it rightly belongs,” Mr Akopkabie said.

Mr Mohammed Muniru, the new Secretary General, thanked Mr Ben Nunoo Mensah and his administration for their marvelous service and stated that the doors of the GOC are always opened for him to offer ideas and contributions to raise and promote the GOC and Ghana Sports.

Also in attendance were Mr Isaac Duah, former Assistant Treasurer, Mawuko Afadzinu, 1st Vice President, Ernest Danso, 3rd Vice President, Baba Fuseini, Deputy Secretary General, Nii Lante Bannerman, Assistant Treasurer and Kamal Sulley, new Board Member. -GOC Communications

Sports

2025 Absa Black Star Marathon launched

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2025

Net News Ghana

Nana Essilfuah Tamakloe (third right) with some dignitaries including Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe (far left), winner of the wheelchair race last year

Absa Bank Ghana Limited, in collaboration with the Black Star Marathon Foundation, have launched the 2025 Absa Black Star Marathon.

The event for elite athletes and amateur runners is under the theme: ‘Your Story Matters,’ and is expected to start and finish at the Independence Square on Saturday, July 26.

In its second year, the Black Star Marathon will feature a range of long-distance running events, including the standard 42.2 km event for men and women, a 10 km mass run for all, and a wheelchair marathon.

According to the organisers, the marathon route is designed to highlight Accra’s landmarks, weaving through the city’s vibrant neighbourhoods to create a festive atmosphere for runners and spectators.

In his speech, the founder of the marathon, Dr Eric Kwame Adae, said the Absa Black Star Marathon was a race born from passion, purpose, and the unstoppable power of stories, saying that, “It isn’t just another marathon; it is a celebration of a movement and a statement.”

“The Absa Black Star Marathon is a call to come together not just to run and cross a finish line, but to honour every victory, struggle, comeback, and heartbeat that refuses to quit. It is a celebration of unflinching resilience, meaningful connection, and inspiration,” he added.

According to him, the mission was to further empower Ghanaians through exciting running programmes, foster a culture of health and well-being, and create a pipeline for future long-distance champions for Ghana.

On her part, the Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Absa Bank Ghana Limited, Nana Essilfuah Tamakloe, noted that sports has a unique ability to unite people from all walks of life around a shared purpose, and as a purpose-driven organisation, Absa Bank was deeply committed to empowering and fostering inclusive growth in people, from investing in and uplifting communities to contributing meaningfully to their remarkable journeys and stories.

“As a brand, we are committed to championing personal growth and national progress. That’s why we are investing not just for today, but for the future with a commitment to headline sponsorship to support this incredible platform,” she said.

“Together with the Black Star Marathon Foundation, we will bring stories of hope, health, and heroism to the forefront, amplifying voices and journeys that inspire us all while not only celebrating physical endurance, excellence, and resilience but also investing in the health and well-being of our lives, because it matters,” she added.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC) Prof. Kobby Mensah, pledged his outfit’s support for the event, announcing plans for a sports parade, featuring athletes on a double-decker bus. “We’ll showcase Accra like never before, making this one of the world’s premier marathons,” he indicated.