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Hearts of Oak dropped precious points in their title charge after being held to a 1-1 draw by Great Olympics in Sunday night’s enthralling Ga Mantse Derby. 

But the consolation for the Phobians will be back on top of the table; tied on 50 points with rivals Asante Kotoko who beat AshantiGold 1-0 earlier on Sunday.

Olympics were quick to come out of the blocks but faded after the opening ten minutes then the Phobians took over.

Emmanuel Nettey rolled out a long pass which found Fatawu Mohammed to whip in a cross which was met by Kwadwo Obeng Jnr but Olympics goalkeeper Ben Asare was out snuff out the threat.

The Phobians had hit top form and were beginning drive the screws on Olympics and then a controversial decision.

Isaac Mensah’s long range shot hit the under of the cross bar and landed over the goal line but the referee Rustum Gameli could not capture it.

Just after the half hour mark, Mensah profited from a poor clearance by the Olympics defenders inside the box but his toe-poked effort rolled feebly into the hands goalkeeper Asare

40′ Olympics fired a warning shot when Gladson Awako’s curled free-kick from distance was spilled by goalkeeper Richard Attah but he recovered to collect it.

Before the break, Maxwell Abbey Quaye raced into the box and dropped but the referee thought the challenge from Mohammed Alhassan was a fair challenge.

It was a quick counter-attack from Hearts of Oak which was started by Alhassan whose long pass found Daniel Barnieh.

The Ghana U20 captain quickly released Obeng Jnr but the latter’s low shot on his terrific left foot was narrowly wide.

Six minutes in the second half, Hearts of Oak took the lead with a classy finish from Nettey.

Goalkeeper Asare came out to punch Salifu Ibrahim’s corner kick but the ball went straight to the midfielder who smashed in on a half volley which zoomed powerfully into the roof.

The gloves man appeared to have been fouled in the process and was stretched off due to injury.

He was replaced by Stephen Quaicoe.

Mensah should have doubled Hearts’ lead in the 62nd minute but his connection at the near-post came off the side net.

Olympics popped up  later when left back Osei Bonsu beat the offside to collecting a long ball from Michel Otu but Maxwell Abbey Quaye’s header was off target.

But Abbey Quaye made amends on 72 minutes when he powerfully headed in a cross from right back Kwabena Boateng after Raddy Ovouka had given the ball away in his own half.

In added on time, substitute Abdul Manaf Mudasiru raced like a stallion to steal a ball from the foot of Hearts goalie Attah and rounded him up but the burly forward lacked the composure to slot it home for the match winner.

It was a shocking miss.

Source:Ghanasoccernet

The Porcupine Warriors emerged victorious in the Ashanti Regional derby after 1-0 on the week 28 of the Ghana Premier League.

Asante Kotoko Sporting Club takes the bragging right in the Ashanti regional derby after winning 1-0 over Ashantigold Sporting Club in the week 28 of the ongoing Ghana Premier League campaign.

Center Referee Daniel whistled for the commencement of the game as the time clocked 3:00pm

On the 7th, the Miners possessed few balls half away into Kotoko half. A quick passes between Amos Kofi Nkrumah and Mark Agyekum saw Mark in the advantageous position as Mark was only left with the goalkeeper Kwame Baah unfortunately mark kicked, but Baah was at the perfect position to save the ball from kissing the net.

Amos Kofi Nkrumah commited a blunder, recovered from his blunder unfortunately, committed another blunder which saw Skipper Emmanuel Gymafi coming from the back to take the ball away fortunately, Goalkeeper Kofi Mensah came to rescue his side after Gyamfi tried taking the shotstopper on. This incidence occurred on the 13th minute.

On the 20th minute, Attacking Midfielder Fabio Gama was brought down as he tried surging forward with the ball. Patrick Asmah effected the resultant free kick which hit the wood work.

As Kotoko were taking the game over their foes, Left back Patrick Asmah made a fine cross to the 18 yard box and Gama who was at the right position and at the right time, headed the ball to the goalpost for Kotoko to take the lead on the 22nd minute.

Ibrahim Osman went searching for the second unfortunately the striker was brought down on the 29th minute. Emmanuel Keyekeh fired the resultant kick, but the ball hit the wall

On the 33rd minute, Salifu Mudasiru couldn’t have done better as his opponents, tied him and brought him to the ground. Resultant free kick was blown away by Ismail Abdul Ganiyu

Kotoko were on the verge of getting the second on the 41st minute after Keyekeh fired from a free kick to the goalpost fortunately for the miners, Goalkeeper did a remarkable one to save the ball to corner kick.

The Miners tried to getting the equalizer but the porcupines didn’t give them the chance. Subsequently, the first half came to an end.

As the miners started well in the second department of the game, Seth Osei gave a quick one to Yaw Annor in the 18 yard box unfortunately, Yaw bloated the away on the 54th minute.

On the 66th minute, Ashgold took their foes on the break unfortunately, the miners got dispossessed. Anabila gave a quick pass to Keyekeh on the flanks, and made a fine cross into the 18 yard box unfortunately no porcupine was in the 18 yard box to slot the second for the home side. 

Kotoko subsequently took Ashantigold on the flanks through Emmanuel Gyamfi who ran and made a fine cross into the 18 yard box however, Osei Agyemang obstructed the ball to corner – An incidence which could have resulted in an own goal.

Stephen Banahene tried his luck, searching for the equalizer on the 71st minute, but Kwame Baah did a good work to save the ball.

Four minutes later, the Miners once again took the ball on the porcupines, penetrating into their defense through quick passes from Banahene to Seth Osei, and then Seth to Yaw Annor unfortunately, Yaw bloated the ball away.

As the miners keep searching for the equalizer, on the die embers of the game, Samed Mohammed fired a thunderbolt into Kotoko’s 18yard box, but ball was deflected to corner. 

Resultant corner didn’t yield any results.

Ashgold made series of attack henceforth, but Kotoko kept composure to manage the game, maintaining the scoreline until the entire proceedings came to an end at the Len Clay stadium in Obuasi.

With Gama’s lone goal on the 22nd minute, Kotoko won by 1-0, and therefore takes the bragging right in the Ashanti regional derby.

Kotoko therefore, climbs to the apex of the table with 50 points, one point more than their arch rivals Hearts of Oak who play later in the day.

Berekum Chelsea displayed a commanding performance at the Golden City Park as they trounced relegation-trapped King Faisal 5-0 in the Ghana Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Abdul Basit Mohammed hit a double to add to goals from Paul Atta Agyei, Kofi Owusu and Bright Amponsah.

The Blues went ahead on the 34th minute mark when Abdul Basit struck the opening goal for the hosts.

Bright Amponsah cushioned the lead for the Seth Hoffman’s side with a brilliant strike 5 minutes later before striker Kofi Owusu scored the third in the 44th minute.

Paul Atta Agyei netted the fourth goal of the game with a brilliant strike in the 64th minute before Basit grabbed his brace on the 81st minute mark.

Chelsea have now moved 10th with 34 points while Faisal continue to languish in the relegation zone with 29 points from 28 games.

By El Akyereko

Asante Kotoko posted a 1-0 win over AshantiGold at the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi in the Ghana Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Brazilian Fabio Gama stole the only goal of the game on the 23rd minute mark after connecting home a Patrick Asmah effort.

Kotoko coach Mariano Barreto restored former Atalanta defender Patrick Asmah into the left-back position following the absence of Imoro Ibrahim who is away on international duty with the Ghana U23 team in Japan.

Fabio Gama outjumped Richard Osei Agyemang to connect a cross from Patrick Asmah to put Kotoko 1-0 ahead after 23 minutes.

Just moments after the Kotoko opener Mark Agyekum was played through by captain Amos Addai but before the forward could attempt to fire at goal Wahab Adams intercepted the ball and cleared to safety. The Miners fans on attendance screamed for penalty but referee Daniel Laryea would have none of that as he signalled for play to continue.

Patrick Asmah steered a free-kick into the human wall constructed by the AshantiGold defence to protect a dead-ball situation just 20 meters away from goal.

Yaw Annor should have pulled AshantiGold on level pecking but the former Bechem United striker surprisingly fired wide much to the displeasure of the home fans.

By El Akyereko

Asante Kotoko Head Coach, Mariano Barreto Jeronimo has selected his starting XI to face Ashantigold in the Ashanti Derby at the Len Clay Stadium this afternoon.

The Porcupines host the landlords, Ashantigold matchweek 28 fixture in the Ghana Premier League in a make or break affair.

A win for Kotoko will put them at the top of the league table temporarily.

Kwame Baah starts in goal ahead of skipper Felix Annan, his first league start since March 2021. Christopher Netty, Andrews Appau who will be making his first official start for the club since he joined in October 2020, Wahab Adams and Abdul Ganiyu start in defense.

In midfield, Emmanuel Keyekeh is paired with Mudasiru Salifu. Brazilian international Fabio Gama will sit in front of the two.

Emmanuel Gyamfi, Patrick Asmah and Ibrahim Osman will lead the line.Asante Kotoko starting XI below:

Kwame Baah (GK), Christopher Nettey, Andrews Appau, Abdul Ganiyu, Wahab Adams, Emmanuel Keyekeh, Mudasiru Salifu, Fabio Gama, Emmanuel Gyamfi (C), Osman Ibrahim, Patrick Asmah.

Subs: Felix Annan, Mubarik Yusif, Latif Anabila, Naby Keita, Augustine Okrah, Evans Adomako, Samuel Frimpong.

Medeama SC secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Karela United on match-day 28 of the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

The Yellow and Mauves have moved back into the top four following the slim win at the Akoon Park in Tarkwa.

Defender Vincent Atingah snatched the only goal of the duel by heading home in the 81st minute to hand victory to Yaw Preko’s charges.

The two times FA Cup champions have been under immense pressure going into the game after losing 3-0 to Inter Allies last week.

But Medeama recovered from the blip and were dominant in the first half but could not break the deadlock.

An improved second-half performance saw the hosts fight strongly to secure all three points in the highly anticipated game.

The win lifts them above Karela and Great Olympics as they move to third position on the table.

Accra Great Olympics have received a boost ahead of their Premier League game against city rivals Hearts of Oak on Sunday.

This follows the decision of the Black Stars technical team to release talisman Gladson Awako for the Ga Mashie derby – a match day 28 fixture scheduled for the Accra Sports stadium.

The 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup winner has been one of the key figures in the Great Olympics set up featuring in 24 matches in the on-going campaign. Awako, who made his International debut in March against Sao Tome and Principe, is an inspiration to younger ones in the team due to his exemplary leadership quality on the field of play.

Great Olympics defeated Hearts of Oak 2-0 in the first round of the League – but the League leaders are on a mission to redeem their image in this weekend’s encounter.

They have won two – lost two and drawn one in their last five League games – currently sitting in 3^rd place – five points behind leaders Hearts of Oak. The Dade boys will miss the services of Samuel Ashie Quaye on Sunday – the winger is in Japan with the Black Meteors for International friendly matches against Japan and South Korea.

Accra Hearts of Oak have not lost a game since their 2-0 loss to Dreams FC on May 2, at the theatre of Dreams, Dawu. The Phobians have gone on a five match winning run – beating King Faisal (2-0), Bechem United (1-0), Elmina Sharks (2-0), Eleven Wonders (1-0) and Berekum Chelsea (2-0). The former champions continued their heroics in midweek with a 3-0 thumping of Liberty Professionals in the MTN FA Cup.

Ibrahim Salifu has been the main force behind their sudden turnaround. The former Eleven Wonders man scored the winner against Bechem United and made the goals against Elmina Sharks and Berekum Chelsea.

Hearts of Oak lead the Premier League table with 49 points – but cannot afford to slip against a Great Olympics side who look very much poised to push the title race to the wire.

Great Olympics put up a brave fight against Karela United on Friday after coming from a goal down to draw 1-1 at the CAM Park. Hearts of Oak have not conceded in six games across competitions – keeping five clean sheets in the Premier League and one in the MTN FA Cup.

The match is scheduled for 6pm kick off at the Accra Sports Stadium and will be live on StarTimes Adepa channel 247.