FootyDream

Steven Desse Mukwala, the Asante Kotoko forward, has been called up to the Ugandan national team for their upcoming AFCON qualifiers double-header against Tanzania. Mukwala, who made his debut for Uganda in 2019, will be joining the Cranes during the international break later this month.

The first match between Uganda and Tanzania will take place at the St. Mary’s Stadium-Kitende in Entebbe on March 24, with the second leg at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam four days later.

Mukwala joined Asante Kotoko before the start of the 2022-23 season and has been in good form since his arrival, scoring eight league goals and two FA Cup goals in the ongoing campaign. He was also part of the Kotoko team that participated in Africa this season.

The invitation letter from the Ugandan football federation has been received by the Ghanaian champions, and Mukwala is expected to join the rest of the Cranes squad in a fortnight to continue preparations for the two matches.

Mukwala has 10 caps for the Uganda national team since making his debut in December 2019, under Northern Irish coach Johnny McKinstry in a friendly match. He played five matches during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers but is yet to score his first international goal.

Konadu Yiadom scored in the second half to give Accra Hearts of Oak a 1-0 win against arch rivals Asante Kotoko in the super clash at the Accra Sports stadium.

The former WAFA centre back scored the winning goal with a well-placed header in the 57th minute, following a Linda Mtange well delivered free kick that beat goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim.

Hearts of Oak got off to a flying start in the opening stages – Benjamin Yorke missed a great chance in the first few minutes. But Asante Kotoko responded very well as Stephen Mukwala was equally in a good place to put his side ahead. But the teams fluffed the chances as the first half ended goalless.

Accra Hearts of Oak had a great start to the second half just as the opening half and deservedly took the lead through defender Konadu Yiadom. The lanky centre back got on to a beautifully flicked free kick to nod home the opener for the Phobians who came into the game on the back of a 1-0 loss to Great Olympics and back to back defeats at the Accra Sports stadium. Kotoko tried to mount a comeback, but Hearts of Oak kept their composure and maintained their rhythm to deny their rivals as the game ended 1-0 in their favour.

The win takes Hearts of Oak back into the top four with 31 points – level on points with Asante Kotoko.

Bechem United cruised to a 2-0 victory over Bibiani Gold Stars at the Nana Gyeabour Park on Sunday. The Hunters were in dire need of a win to get their season back on track following the midweek loss to Asante Kotoko.

After a barren first half, Emmanuel Owusu scored in the 66^th minute to put his side ahead before Hafiz Konkoni added the second goal in the 69^th minute to complete the win.

The win sees Bechem United move up to third in the league standings, with 33 points from 20 games – three points behind leaders Aduana FC.

League leaders Aduana FC crashed to an excruciating 1-0 loss to FC Samartex 1996 at Nsenkyire Sports Complex Sunday.

The newly promoted side who are unbeaten at home in eight matches, returned to winning ways after back-to-back defeats to Berekum Chelsea and Real Tamale United having recorded six victories and two draws at home in all competitions.

Isaac Afful headed them into the lead as his strike sealed victory for the home side. FC Samartex are now in 8th place with 29 points – six-points above the relegation zone.

Accra Lions grabbed a vital away win against Tamale City at Aliu Mahama stadium Sunday. Ibrahim Tanko’s side went into the game fresh from a 2-1 win over Karela United at CAM Park on Wednesday and snatched the three points through a Dominic Amponsah strike in extra time – his second goal on the road in five days.

Abdul Fatawu scored the winner for Medeama SC in their 1-0 win against Berekum Chelsea at Akoon Park.

In Accra, Legon Cities gave away a second half lead to draw 1-1 with Real Tamale United at the El Wak stadium. Samuel Armah scored in the 65^th minute to give Legon Cities the lead but Issah Kuka was on hand to nod home an equalizer in the 83^rd minute as the two teams shared the spoils.

Nsoatreman FC won the battle of the new boys at Nana Konamansah Park where the home side beat Kotoku Royals 2-1 to move two places above the relation zone. Samuel Ofori scored a first half penalty in the 32^nd minute but Collins Kudjoe netted in the 41^st minute to level matters for Royals. Back from recess, both sides endured a difficult spell until Kwame Nana drilled home the winner in the 97^th minute. Nsoatreman FC now have 24 points and lie in the 14^th place while Kotoku Royals remain at the bottom with 14 points.

King Faisal scored in either half to beat Accra Great Olympics 2-0 at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports complex on Saturday.

The home side went into the game looking to continue from where they left off following an impressive goalless draw against League leaders Aduana FC on Wednesday.

Abdul Latif opened the scoring in the 12th minute as he converted from the penalty spot.

Great Olympics pushed for the equalizer but their efforts were thwarted by the backline of King Faisal as the hosts went into the break with a slender lead.

Back from recess, Samuel Adom Antwi smashed home the second goal in the 70^th minute to seal victory for the Insha Allah lads.

The win takes King Faisal to the 13th spot with 24 points.

Meanwhile Dreams FC were held to a 0-0 draw by Karela United Football Club at the Theatre of Dreams in their Matchday 20 encounter.

The 2022/23 Ghana Premier League continued with match-day 20 fixtures across the venues, producing an intriguing outcome.

Hearts of Oak secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over their fierce rivals, Asante Kotoko, in the President’s Cup held in honour of President Nana Akufo-Addo on Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The match was also a match-day 20 fixture of the Ghana Premier League.

FC Samartex continued their impressive home record by posting a slender 1-0 win over leaders Aduana Stars.

King Faisal defeated Great Olympics 2-0 while Legon Cities played a 1-1 stalemate with Real Tamale United.

At the Aliu Mahama Stadium, Accra Lions picked a 1-0 win away over Tamale City.

Scores at a glance;

ABRANKESE: King Faisal 2-0 Accra Great Olympics

Scorers: Abdul Latif(pen), Samuel Adom Antwi

Man of the match: Baba Yahaya (King Faisal)

DAWU: Dreams FC 0-0 Karela United

Man of the match: Abdul Jalilu (Dreams FC)

ACCRA: Hearts Of Oak 1-0 Asante Kotoko

Scorer: Konadu Yiadom

Man of the match: Linda Mtange (Hearts Of Oak)

FOSU GYEABOUR PARK: Bechem United 2-0 Bibiani Gold Stars

Scorers: Emmanuel Owusu, Hafiz Konkoni

Man of the match: Francis Twene (Bechem United)

NSENKYIRE PARK: FC Samartex 1996 1-0 Aduana FC

Scorer: Isaac Afful

Man of the match: Isaac Affu l (FC Samartex)

ALIU MAHAMA: Tamale City 0-1 Accra Lions

Scorer: Dominic Amponsah

Man of the match: Andrews Owusu-GK (Accra Lions)

AKOON PARK: Medeama SC 1-0 Berekum Chelsea

Scorer: Abdul Fatawu

Man of the match: Abdul Fatawu Hamidu (Medeama SC)

EL-WAK: Legon Cities 1-1 Real Tamale United

Scorers: Samuel Armah || Issah Kuka

Man of the match: Nii Gyashie Bortey (Legon Cities)

NSOATRE: Nsoatreman FC 2-1 Kotoku Royals

Scorers: Samuel Ofori(pen), Kwame Nana || Collins Kudjoe

Man of the match: Wattara Shule (Nsoatreman FC)

Topscorers Chart

1. Mezack Afriyie (Berekum Chelsea) – 10
2. Hafiz Konkoni (Bechem United) – 8
3. Steven Mukwala (Asante Kotoko) – 8
4. Abednego Tetteh (Goldstars) – 7
5. Abass Samari (Accra Lions) – 7
6. Sampson Eduku (Tamale City) – 7
7. Agyenim B. Mensah (Dreams FC) – 6
8. Issah Kuka (RTU) – 6
9. Andy Kumi (Kotoku Royals) – 5
10. Bright Adjei (Aduana Stars) – 5
11. Cephas Mantey (Bechem United) – 5
12. Ibrahim Laar (Goldstars) – 5
13. Isaac Mensah (Tamale City) – 5
14. Kwesi Donsu (Medeama SC) – 5
15. Richard Dzikoe (Kotoku Royals) – 5

League Table

With the second round of the BetPawa Premier League starting to heat up, Kumasi Asante Kotoko will be looking to stun their noisy rivals, Accra Hearts of Oak at the nation’s Wembley, Accra Sports Stadium today.

Coach Seydou Zerbo has announced his starting XI, with Danlad Ibrahim at the base as the goalkeeper.

Mohammed Alhassan retains his place in defence and will be playing against his former club.

Augustine Agyapong, Sheriff Mohammed and Nicholas Osei-Bonsu are also starting from defence.

In midfield, Richard Boadu Agadas and Richmond Lamptey get the nod to start.

Steven Mukwala has been given the keys as the starting stroller once again alongside Georges Mfegue and Enock Morrison.

The game is scheduled for 3:00pm.

Asante Kotoko starting XI to face Accra Hearts of Oak:

Danlad Ibrahim

Richard Boadu

Augustine Agyapong

Enock Morrison

Sheriff Mohammed

Georges Mfegue

Steven Mukwala

Richmond Lamptey

Mohammed Sheriff

Nicholas Osei-Bonsu

Mohammed Alhassan

©GSP

The biggest game of the season so far has arrived as Hearts of Oak welcome Asante Kotoko for the second Super Clash of the 2022/23 season at the Accra Sports Stadium.

After back-to-back defeats in the BetPawa Premier League, Hearts of Oak will fight hard to torment the Porcupine Warriors despite their crisis.

However, Coach Slavko Matic has announced his squad for the Ghana’s version of El Classico.

Samuel Inkoom, Caleb Amankwaa and Ibrahim Salifu are back into the team and will be available for selection on Sunday.

However, striker Kwadwo Obeng and midfielder Gladson Awako have been ruled out once again.

Benjamin Yorke, Eric Esso, Konadu Yiadom, Linda Mtange are among the 21-man squad named by the Phobians.

The game will also be played to honour the President of the land, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankw Akufo-Addo as Ghana celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary on Monday.

The winner will take home 50,000 Ghana Cedis.

Hearts of Oak’s squad list for Kotoko game:

GOALKEEPERS

Richmond Ayi GK

Eric Ofori Antwi

DEFENDERS

Dennis Korsah

Rashid Okine

Kwabena Anane

Francis Adjetey

Caleb Amankwaa

Konadu Yiadom

Samuel Inkoom

MIDFIELDERS

Eric Esso

Jeordan Otanga

Clinton Appiah

Salifu Ibrahim

Amankwaa Baafi

Seidu Suraj

Don Linda Mtange

ATTACKERS

Benjamin Yorke

Victor Aidoo

Diego Eonde Albert

Enock Asubonteng

Isaac Mensah

Source: Ghana Sports Page