Click on any of the links to watch the game. Kickoff is 11:30pm.
https://hesgoal-tv.io/live/12289/1035086/wolverhampton-vs-liverpool/
USM Alger defeat Al Ahly to win Caf Super Cup
A first-half penalty from captain Zinedine Belaid was enough to earn Algerian side USM Alger a shock 1-0 victory over Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the 2023 Caf Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia on Friday night.
The historic win seals a maiden Super Cup title for the Algerian club who were superb defensively to cling on to their slender lead amid intense pressure.
Belaid slotted home calmly from the spot just before half-time after the referee consulted VAR and awarded a penalty for handball.
That proved the decisive moment in a tense clash dominated by the Egyptian giants, with USM Alger displaying incredible resilience and backs-to-the-wall defending to pull off an upset.
Al Ahly, who were chasing a record-extending ninth Super Cup crown, enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and chances but could not find a way past an inspired goalkeeper Alexis Nabout.
The Red Devils thought they had equalised early on when Hussein El Shahat’s shot was spilled by Nabout straight into the path of Walter Bwalya, but it was ruled out for offside.
Al Ahly continued to press as Percy Tau and Ali Maaloul forced smart stops from Benabout.
But USM Alger stunned the favourites against the run of play when Belaid smashed in a 42nd-minute spot-kick after a handball decision.
The second half followed a similar pattern as Al Ahly laid siege to the Algerian goal without reward. Substitute Mohamed Afsha drilled wide before Percy Tau fired off target when well-placed.
In a heart-stopping finale, Ali Maaloul missed a golden chance before Taher Mohamed Taher’s header was tipped over by the outstanding Benabout.
But USM Alger clung on heroically for a famous victory to spark wild celebrations.
The win avenges their defeat by Al Ahly in the same final two years ago and underlines the progress made under coach Abdelhak Benchikha.
For Al Ahly, this loss ends their hopes of a sweep of trophies this season after already claiming the Egyptian league and Caf Champions League. But coach Marcel Koller will know they deserved more from a performance that merited at least an equaliser.
On the balance of play, Al Ahly will feel aggrieved to take nothing from the showpiece final. But USM Alger’s ruthlessness in seizing their one clear chance and stubborn defending was worthy of the highest praise on a landmark night for the Algerian club.
“They deserve to win” – Hearts coach Martin Koopman admits after defeat to RTU
Head coach of Hearts of Oak, Martin Koopman has expressed his disappointment over their opening-day loss, praising Real Tamale United for their impressive display on the day.
The Phobians suffered a 1-0 defeat, thanks to Owusu Afriyie’s injury time header at the Aliu Mahama Stadium in week 1 of the 2023/24 BetPawa Premier League.
Martin Koopman said: “If you lose you are always disappointed but in the first place, it was a very nice game to see.
“A fighting game, of course we will like to play football but if you can’t play football you must also fight.
“In the first half they had a lot of chances, so we don’t say they don’t deserve.
“Last minute corner kick they scored I think over all they deserve to win the game.” Martin Koopman told StarTimes.
“Over all it was ok for me so let’s go for the next game.
“We must make a step forward, we must work hard on this very young team.
“I have confidence, nice for them [RTU] but not nice for us.” He added.
Hearts will play Nsoatreman FC on matchday 2 in Accra.
“My team will make a mark this season” – RTU head coach Abdul Mumin after impressive display against Hearts Of Oak
Real Tamale United’s head coach, Abdulai Abdul Mumin, believes that his young club may succeed this year.
Owusu Afriyie’s dramatic header at the Aliu Mahama Stadium in Tamale gave RTU the victory over Hearts of Oak in the opening week of the BetPawa Premier League.
Abdul Mumin said: “I think we started with a very young team, people didn’t give us a dog’s chance, but we knew what we were doing,” Abdulai Abdul Mumin told StarTimes.
“We want to tell people that, there are talents up North here so they should watch out.
“I think it’s a young team, we have to be development oriented, we shouldn’t be thinking of high profile players or whatever.
“We must try to bring somebody from the grassroots to the topmost level and this team is going to make a mark in this competition.” He added.
RTU will next play Bofoakwa Tano in Sunyani on matchday 2.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS: RTU 1-0 Hearts Of Oak
Real Tamale United opened the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League season with a 1-0 home victory against Hearts Of Oak.
Watch highlights of the game;
2023/24 Ghana Premier League: Preview – Great Olympics vs Bofoakwa Tano
Bofoakwa Tano are back in the Premier League after 16 years of absence having secured qualification at the expense of rivals Techiman Eleven Wonders in Zone One of the Access Bank Division One League.
The Sunyani lads will travel to Accra as guests of Great Olympics- but not as guests of the grounds in Accra – a venue that gave them their Premier League ticket.
Boafoakwa Tano pride themselves as one of the topmost clubs in Ghana having produced loads of talents including the legendary Kwasi Owusu – Ghana’s third highest all time top scorer and Dan Owusu – a man who won the top scorer of the Premier League on three consecutive occasions in 1974(24 goals), 1975 (26 goals) and 1976 (28 goals).
Indeed, they qualified in a grand style despite giving away an early lead on Tuesday, May 30,2023.
On Saturday, they face another giant, Accra Great Olympics – a side that finished 14th in the 2022/23 betPawa Premier League.
Great Olympics come into the season with a lot of optimism after avoiding relegation on the final day of last season. The Blues have re-appointed Annor Walker to lead them this season following an underwhelming stint with FC Samartex 1996.
The Dade boys have won their last two home games and will be facing a Bofoakwa Tano side that qualified from Zone One through a play-off win over Techiman Eleven Wonders.
Former Ghana and Asante Kotoko legend, Frimpong Manso has been appointed as head coach and he seems to have started quite well after guiding them to win the Division One League Super Cup.
Bofoakwa Tano have beefed up their squad with the likes of Rashid Mohammed, Steven Owusu, Charles Owusu, Andrews Appau and Goalkeeper Osei Kwame.
Great Olympics will heavily rely on the experience of Samuel Ashie Quaye, Philip Sackey and new signings, Isaac Mensah, Mathew Abayase and Mathew Agama.
The match will be broadcast live on StarTimes Adepa channel 247 at 3pm on Saturday, September 16,2023.
2023/24 GPL: Owusu Afriyie scores in injury time as RTU beat Hearts Of Oak in opener
Real Tamale United opened the 2023-24 Ghana Premier League campaign with a vital victory over Hearts of Oak in a pulsating encounter at the Aliu Mahama Stadium on Friday night.
The Pride of the North preserved their dominance over the Phobians since returning to the top division. A narrow victory ensured RTU have gone unbeaten against Hearts in their last five league matches.
Friday’s 1-0 win also ensured RTU have beaten the Rainbow Club in each of their last four meetings in the Ghanaian Premiership.
RTU trainer Abdul Mumin Abdulai named a new look side to face the Phobians with Mohammed Hardi, Baba Kushibo, Hafiz Adams, Iddrisu Gadafi and Mohammed Alhassan Manykuyeli the only regulars from last season in the team.
Dutchman Martin Koopman handed debuts to Michael Ampadu, Kelvin Osei-Asibey, Liventius Attur, Martin Karikari, Evans Adomako, Kofi Agbesimah, and Congolese striker Wanet Kashala Ramos.
Midfielder Abdul-Aziz Nurudeen returned to competitive action after over a year on the sidelines when he replaced Glid Jeordon Otanga.
RTU were the better side of the first half after creating the best of scoring opportunities. They failed to find the back of the net before the break.
Striker Alhassan Manyukeli squandered two glorious chances in the space of two minutes, sparing the Phobians from conceding following some defensive lapse.
Hearts goalkeeper Richard Attah made a couple of saves to deny the hosts from going ahead in the match.
The WeyUna lads finally got the breakthrough to secure the maximum points RTU after striker Owusu Afriyie scored the only goal of the match in stoppage-time.
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Dreams FC secure victory against Kallon FC in CAF Confederation Cup first-leg clash
Dreams FC emerged victorious with a 2-1 win against Sierra Leonean club Kallon FC in the first leg of their final preliminary round of the CAF Confederations Cup.
Godfred Atuahene gave Dreams FC an early lead with a well-timed goal in the 11th minute, igniting the excitement for the much-anticipated fixture. However, Kallon FC swiftly responded just before half-time, as Daniel Karim found the net, leveling the score.
The game’s turning point came in the 55th minute when John Antwi calmly converted a penalty, putting Dreams FC back in the lead. This crucial goal secured a significant advantage for the Ghanaian team as they now look ahead to the second leg.
With a group stage slot at stake, Dreams FC will prepare to face Kallon FC once again, this time on the latter’s home turf. Dreams FC previously demonstrated their determination by overcoming Milo FC in the first preliminary round with a similar 2-1 scoreline after a draw in the first leg.
The next crucial clash between Dreams FC and Kallon FC is scheduled to take place at the Southern Arena Stadium on Friday, September 29. The tension is evident as both teams vie for a coveted spot in the CAF Confederations Cup group stage.
How Hearts Of Oak could line up against Real Tamale United
Hearts Of Oak will open the 2023/24 Premier League season with an away game against Real Tamale United at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium this evening.
Hearts of Oak have made some signings ahead of the season. They include centre back Kelvin Osei Asibey (Eleven Wonders) and Kofi Agbesimah (Bechem United).
The former Premier League Champions have also boosted their squad with Micheal Ampadu, Liventus Arthur, Martin Karikari and Rapheal Amponsah with the arrival of Martin Koopman as new head coach.
We bring you their probable lineup based on their preseason activities ahead of their opener. Kickoff is 6:30pm
Hearts probable line-up;
Richard Attah-GK
Michael Ampadu
Kofi Agbesimah
Kelvin Osei Asibey
Dennis Korsah
Eric Esso Martin Karikari
Glid Otanga
Evans Adomako
Liventius Arthur
Kashala Ramos
OFFICIAL: Asante Kotoko announce new club captains
Asante Kotoko have confirmede the appointment of goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim as the new club’s captain.
The goalkeeper, who is entering his eight-season with the club, had the experience of wearing the armband temporarily during last season’s campaign.
However, the 2021 AFCON U-20 winner and now Black Stars shot-stopper will take over the armband on a permanent basis following the departure of former skipper Richard Boadu, who joined Libyan club, Al Ahly.
Cameroonian, Georges Mfegue, and Richmond Lamptey will be vice-captains per head coach, Prosper Narteh Ogum.
“It’s a huge honour for me to be named the new club captain,” He tells scasantekotoko.com.
“I will say it’s a blessing, and I give thanks to the Almighty Allah, to our noble technical staff and head coach, Prosper Ogum, and to our great supporters.
“I am very grateful for this, and I promise to serve wholeheartedly like I have always done since I joined [this club].”
Danlad joined the Porcupine family in August 2016, and made his senior debut in 2019, keeping the post in the absence of our former captain, Felix Annan in the Normalisation Committee’s special competition semifinal triumph against Hearts of oak and also made his league debut against Aduana Stars in our 2021-2022 league winning season.