Hearts of Oak were held to a scoreless draw by Samartex 1996 on their return to the Accra Sports Stadium.
Samartex against the odds dominated the first 45 minutes of the game. Emmanuel Keyekeh saw two attempts from free-kick kept out by Richard Ayi. Raymond Kwoffie also struck the post with a wild effort from distance.
On the other side of the field, Hearts of Oak also came close through Amankwah Baafi who saw his effort missed the post by inches. Eric Esso also saw his effort cleared off the line.
The second half of the game didn’t produce many chances like the first half did but Hearts of Oak came the closest to scoring. New boy Linda Mtange struck the post from a free-kick.
Evans Adomako scored the only goal of the game to earn Karela United a 1-0 home win against League leaders Aduana, ending a run of 7 league games without a win.
At the Nana Kronmansah Park, Nsoatreman were held to a scoreless draw by a resilient Legon Cities side.
Dreams FC defeated Real Tamale United 3-1 to return to winning ways. Agyenim Boateng Mensah scored a brace and Ali Huzaif scored the other goal for dreams. Issah Kuka scored the consolation goal for RTU.
Samuel Ashie Quaye and Aryeetey Ayikwei scored in either half to earn Great Olympics a 2-0 win against Kotoku Royals at the Cape Coast Stadium.
In Kumasi, Samuel Adom Antwi goal in the dying minutes of the first half earned King Faisal a 1-0 win against Tamale City.
On Saturday, a late penalty converted by Kofi Agbesimah earned Bechem United a 1-0 win against Medeama at the Nana Gyeabor Park.
The games will continue on Monday, Bibiani Gold Stars will host Asante Kotoko at the Dun’s Park and Accra Lions play Berekum Chelsea in Accra.
The Black Galaxies of Ghana have kicked off the campaign at the 2023 Championship of Africa Nations (CHAN) on a losing note after falling to Madagascar on Sunday night.
The ongoing CHAN tournament in Algeria saw action in Group C today when the two countries locked horns.
Despite Ghana going into the game as the favourites, debutants Madagascar proved to be the better side with a solid performance right from the start of the first half.
Just 12 minutes into the first half, the underdogs scored through an effort from Solomampionona Koloina to stun Ghanaians.
Although the Black Galaxies will attempt to get back into the game before the break, the team could not score.
Later in the 61st minute of the second half, Madagascar increased their lead when Tokinantenaina Olivier capitalized on a defensive blunder to also get his name on the scoresheet.
Seven minutes later, substitute Augustine Agyapong netted a consolation goal for Ghana but it could not inspire the Black Galaxies to come from behind to earn anything out of the clash.
After the defeat today, Ghana must now prepare for the second Group C match against Sudan on January 19.
Coach Annor Walker has named a strong starting line up for Ghana’s TotalEnergies African Nations Championship(CHAN) tournament opening group match against Madagascar.
The Coach named a back four with Augustine Randolf and Dennis Korsah on the right and left back positions respectively.
Captain Gladson Awako will be the main man in Ghana’s midfield and will have support from David Abgana Sandan and Dominic Nsobila.
Daniel Afriyie and Razak Yusif will will upfront for the Black Galaxies when the gale kicks off at 8pm(7pm GMT) at the Stade Chahid Hamlaoui.
Hearts Of Oak trainer, Slavko Matic has named his starting eleven for this afternoon’s Ghana Premier League game against Samartex.
Kickoff is 3pm local time.
Matic has made three changes in the line up that drew with King Faisal in Kumasi on Thursday.
Duo Glid Jeordon Otanga and Benjamin Yorke have been dropped to the bench as Robert Addo Sowah earns a starting berth following the absence of Zakaria Yakubu.
The 2022/23 Ghana Premier League contained with match-day 12 fixtures on Wednesday and Thursday across the venues.
Aduana FC have opened-up a four-point gap at the top of the betPawa Premier League table as they scored two first-half goals to beat Kotoku Royals 2-0 in Dormaa.
The two-time champions went into the game looking to open the gap at the top of the log following Asante Kotoko’s 1-1 stalemate against Tamale City on Wednesday.
The leaders took the lead in the 17th minute through Emmanuel Gyamfi at the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park. Stephen Anokye Badu added to the tally just before the halftime whistle as they romped to a comfortable home win.
The win takes them to 24 points – four points ahead of Champions Asante Kotoko and giants Accra Hearts of Oak who have 20 points each ahead of their trip to Karela United on Sunday.
Accra Great Olympics and Bibiani Gold Stars sold an entertaining four-goal thriller at the Accra Sports stadium on Thursday. Gold Stars took a two-goal lead through Richmond Manu and Ebenezer Aboagye but Great Olympics fought back for a point. The Dade boys scored twice in the last five minutes of the game to break the hearts of Gold Stars who were cruising to a 2-0 victory.
The Miners took a first-half lead through Richmond Manu in the 26th minute – as he tapped in from close range. Great Olympics pressed for the equalizer but their effort yielded no dividend as the referee whistled to end the first half. Back from the break – Gold Stars scored again – this time Ebenezer Aboagye cleverly chipped one beyond the reach of the Great Olympics goalkeeper.
With five minutes of play remaining, Yaw Preko’s men pulled one back through Emmanuel Antwi in the 85th minute before Ayittey Ayikwei settled matters two minutes later.
Elsewhere, King Faisal and Hearts of Oak settled for a goalless draw at the Baba Yara stadium in Kumasi. Both teams created good chances in either half but failed to score with Hearts of Oak’s Linda Mtange Don missing the best chance of the game. The Democratic Republic of Congo star hit the woodwork before Gideon Asante shot wide in the closing stages of the encounter.
The draw keeps Hearts of Oak in second place while King Faisal sits one place above the relegation zone. Finally in Tamale, Real Tamale United beat Accra Lions FC 3-1 at the Aliu Mahama Stadium.
Abbas Samari connected a Mohammed Shawkan pass to cancel an early goal from Issah Kuka but Mohammed Hadir scored right before the break to restore their lead. Back from recess, Mohammed Sadat ensured RTU secured all three points after converting a penalty in the 57th minute.
Scores at a glance;
TAMALE: Tamale City 1-1 Asante Kotoko
Scorers: Babamu Ibrahim || Issah Nyaabila (OG)
Man of the match: Emmanuel Nii Quaye (Tamale City)
AKOON: Medeama 2-0 Nsoatreman FC
Scorers:Kwasi Donsu, Jonathan Sowah
Man of the match: Nurudeen Abdulai (Medeama SC)
GOLDEN CITY: Berekum Chelsea 1-0 Karela United
Scorer: Mezack Afriyie
Man of the match: Mezack Afriyie (Berekum Chelsea)
Referee Mutaz Ibrahim has been appointed to handle Ghana’s first game in Group C of the 2022 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) on Sunday, January 15.
Taking part in the tournament designed for home-based players for the first time since 2014, the Black Galaxies will be facing Madagascar at Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine.
Centre referee Mutaz from Libya has been a Fifa international since 2019.
He will have Gambian Abdul Aziz Bollel JAWO and Modibo SAMAKE from Mali as Assistant referees 1 and 2.
The Fourth Official will be Egyptian Mohamed ADEL ELSAID HUSSIEN while experienced referee Bamlak TESSEMA WEYESA leads VAR duties.
The match between Madagascar and Ghana is scheduled for 19:00 GMT kickoff.
Full appointment: MADAGASCAR vs GHANA
Referee: Mutaz A IBRAHIM (Libya)
Assistant Referee 1: Abdul Aziz Bollel JAWO (Gambia)
Bruno Fernandes’ equaliser in the Manchester derby was given by VAR despite Marcus Rashford being in an offside position.
WHAT HAPPENED? The Portugal international brought Manchester United back into the game in the 78th minute after finding the back of the net from Casemiro’s assist. The Brazilian played a through ball for Rashford who started the run in an offside position. The English forward did not touch the ball and instead left it for Fernandes, who found the back of the net with a curling shot from the edge of the box.
Watch video of the goal:
WHY WAS IT GIVEN? Despite the linesman ruling the strike out initially for offside, after consulting VAR referee Stuart Atwell awarded the goal as Rashford didn’t touch the ball nor did he interfere with any of the Manchester City defenders. The visitors were left furious after the midfielder’s goal stood.
AND WHAT’S MORE: The Premier League explained to TV broadcasters after the match that the “flag went up, ref and linesman had a conversation, deemed no touch on the ball from Rashford and no impact on the defender being able to play the ball. VAR could not find evidence of clear and obvious error so supports the goal.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Just three minutes after Bruno’s equaliser, Rashford scored the winner for the Red Devils from Alejandro Garnacho’s assist which confirmed a crucial three points for his side. They now have 38 points from 18 matches, one point less than Pep Guardiola’s side.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED: Erik ten Hag’s men next take on Crystal Palace on Wednesday before facing league leaders Arsenal on January 22.
