Accra Lions coach Rainer Kraft has stressed on the importance of the game against Hearts of Oak as the relegation-threatened side battle for survival. Lions will face their neighbours as visitors at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, May 23, 2025, for the matchday 32 encounter in the Ghana Premier League.Coach Kraft's team desperately need a win to keep their survival hopes alive with three games remaining to end the season.According to the German trainer, playing at the Accra Sports Stadium comes with some confidence. Accra Lions have won five of their last five matches at the venue."Just three games, if we win that game, we keep our chances to stay in the league, so for us it is a very very important game," he said during the pre-match interview."I also think for a big club like Hearts of Oak with a big fan base. It is important to show the fans what they are able to do and at least it is an Accra derby so I hope a lot of fans will come to give up the support," he added.Accra Lions head into the game after a morale-boost victory over Aduana Stars last...

Hearts of Oak will engage Accra Lions in the final Accra derby of the season as the Ghana Premier League heads into the final stretch of the campaign. Both teams head into the game after deserving wins last weekend with the Phobians travelling to Berekum to beat Chelsea while Lions defeated Aduana Stars 5-3 at the Accra Sports Stadium.Hearts of Oak's title ambitions gradually slipped out of their hands after a series of underwhelming performances,  and are currently in 6th position, eight points behind leaders Nations FC.Meanwhile, Accra Lions' battle for survival continues and are desperate for victory to enhance their chances.They are 16th on the table with 35 points, two points behind Young Apostles in the safety zone.Hearts of Oak have dominated games against Accra Lions, winning six of their seven meetings. The only time Accra Lions defeated Hearts of Oak was last season in their second-place finish campaign.However, Accra Lions have found a safe haven at the Accra Sports Stadium since they were given the greenlight to use the facility by the National Sports Authority. Lions have collected 15 points in their last five games at the Accra Sports Stadium.In the last...

Accra Lions coach Rainer Kraft has taken responsibility for his side's late collapse in the 5-3 victory over Aduana Stars last Saturday in the Ghana Premier League. The hosts raced to a 5-0 lead before the hour mark, with Salman Faris and Lucky Nwafor each scoring a brace and Musa Hamzata netting another.However, a brace from Emmanuel Opoku Peprah and an Emmanuel Marfo strike saw the visitors score three times in the last ten minutes.Kraft was left with mixed feelings despite the victory, claiming his players lost concentration after the break."Of course, I have an explanation. It started at half time. Players coming in the locker, easy, little bit of dancing and you could see the focus and concentration was gone. It started in half time. The players are young, they are not experienced so I can understand a little of how their mindset is but everyone of them wants to go further, wants to go to Europe or somewhere but one day you have to learn," he said during the post-match presser."The first ten, fifteen minutes coming out of the locker we were poor, Aduana did well. And with the changes, which offering players who...

Accra Lions will hosts two-time Ghana Premier League champions Aduana Stars at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, May 17, 2025, with hopes of returning to winning ways and hand their survival chances a boost. The Accra-based club return home after a defeat in Kumasi to Nations FC saw them drop to the relegation zone.Meanwhile, Aduana Stars travel to Accra after a thrilling 3-2 victory at home against Berekum Chelsea.The two sides will be meeting for the eighth time in the Ghanaian topflight league on Saturday, with Accra Lions holding an advantage over the experienced side.In their previous meetings, Accra Lions have won two, with five ending in a draw. Accra Lions recorded one of their biggest wins in the Ghana Premier League against the Dormaa-based in Accra last season.Heading into the match, Accra Lions have been in good form at the Accra Sports Stadium, winning all four matches since returning to their favourite venue.Both teams hold identical records in their last five matches, winning three and losing two.Aduana Stars have rich experience in their squad with Kelvin Obeng leading the attack while Maxwell Arthur marshals the midfield.Meanwhile, the youthful exuberance of players...

Interim head coach of Asante Kotoko, Abdul Karim Zito, has refuted claims that there is some bad blood between attackers Albert Amoah and Kwame Opoku.In the last two games of the Porcupine Warriors, some fans have alleged that there is some friction between the two strikers over perceived selfish play.The allegation started after Kwame Opoku failed to pass to Albert Amoah to score in the narrow win against Aduana Stars.While a similar incident happened in the Hearts of Oak game when Albert Amoah failed to set up Kwame Opoku, coach Karim Zito insists that there is no rivalry between the two teams.He argues that both players are self-centred and want to score for the team to become important for the club.“During our first match [against Aduana Stars], Amoah should have given the ball to Opoku, and today too, look at what has happened. I think it’s not about rivalry, it’s about lack of focus and self-centeredness. Everybody wants to score to feel important, and that’s why in Europe they attach much importance to assists. So it’s not rivalry but rather self-centeredness,” Coach Zito explained to journalists after the Super Clash on Sunday.Meanwhile, the Kotoko...

The Accra Sports Stadium will host the latest chapter of Ghana’s fiercest football rivalry on Sunday afternoon when Hearts of Oak welcome Asante Kotoko in the much-anticipated Super Clash.With both teams enduring underwhelming campaigns by their own lofty standards, this fixture is no longer a title decider but remains one of the standout events on the domestic calendar. Renovation works at the stadium have limited attendance to 25,000, yet a charged atmosphere is still expected as fans gather to witness the battle between the country's most decorated sides.Asante Kotoko head into the tie with more momentum, having secured a 2-1 win over Aduana Stars in their last outing. The Porcupine Warriors are also unbeaten in their last three matches and are led by Karim Zito, who has a solid record against Hearts of Oak. Zito, who joined Kotoko mid-season, beat the Phobians 1-0 earlier this campaign while managing Dreams FC and remains unbeaten in six previous encounters with Hearts.Hearts of Oak, meanwhile, have had ample rest after being handed three points last weekend following Nsoatreman’s withdrawal from the league. Despite the boost, the Phobians have struggled for consistency throughout the season. Head coach Aboubakar Ouattara remains under...

The head coach of Asante Kotoko, Abdul Karim Zito has emphasised that he is keen on fighting to the end to secure the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League title for the club.The experienced tactician was recently appointed to lead the team after the club parted ways with Prosper Narteh Ogum.In his first match in charge, Coach Karim Zito guided Asante Kotoko to a narrow 1-0 win over Aduana Stars.This weekend, the coach and his side will face off with Hearts of Oak in the second Super Clash of the league campaign.Speaking in a pre-match interview, the coach assured fans that his team has not given up on winning the league title despite being fourth in the league table and six points behind league leaders Bibiani Gold Stars.The coach pledged that until the season is over, he will never lose hope.“What we are more concerned about now is that let’s try to get the result, and the result will manifest in our dreams. I won’t say we are going to win the league, but we are going to fight for it. Until the league ends, I will never lose hope. We are still on them, we...

Legon Cities have relieved head coach Yaw Acheampong of his duties as the club battles to avoid relegation from the Ghana Premier League.Acheampong was appointed in January to replace Paa Kwasi Fabin but has failed to inspire a turnaround, with a string of disappointing results compounding the club's struggles.His latest setback, a narrow 1-0 loss to fellow strugglers Basake Holy Stars, sealed his fate.The club, which had hoped his experience would inject life into the side, now sits 17th on the table with just 25 points, five matches to go, and an uphill task to avoid the drop.Acheampong’s appointment had been met with cautious optimism, despite his earlier dismissal from Aduana Stars earlier in the season. However, the gamble has not paid off.In a swift response, Legon Cities have turned to Tijani Abdul Rahim, a former assistant to Maxwell Konadu and ex-head coach of Division One side Young Apostles.He will now be tasked with keeping the Royals in the top flight.

Kotoko legend Samuel Opoku Nti has defended the club's decision to sack head coach Prosper Ogum, citing the team's lack of cohesion and energy under his leadership. Ogum was dismissed with just six matches remaining in the 2024/25 season."The way Kotoko was playing match after match, something wasn’t clicking. It’s better to sacrifice one individual than risk the entire team falling apart," Opoku Nti said in an interview on Akoma FM. He believes the timing of Ogum's sacking was right, given the team's poor run of form."This happens even in Europe. I knew that if they changed the coach, Kotoko could win two or three matches in a row," Opoku Nti added.Karim Zito, the new coach, has already made a positive impact, leading Kotoko to a 1-0 win over Aduana Stars.Zito's appointment has reignited Kotoko's hopes of finishing the season on a high note.Opoku Nti's comments suggest that the club's management made the right decision in sacking Ogum and appointing Zito, who may yet turn the team's fortunes around.

Kotoko legend Samuel Opoku Nti has come to the defense of the club's management following the dismissal of head coach Prosper Ogum.Despite criticism from fans and media, Opoku Nti believes the decision to appoint Karim Zito as the new coach was timely."I believe the timing was right. We had about six matches left before Zito arrived, now it's five, and I think it was the correct decision," Opoku Nti said in an interview on Akoma FM. He explained that the team's lack of cohesion and energy under Ogum necessitated a change."The way Kotoko was playing match after match, something wasn’t clicking. It’s better to sacrifice one individual than risk the entire team falling apart," Opoku Nti added.He drew parallels with European football, where similar decisions are made to turn teams around.Karim Zito has already made a positive impact, leading Kotoko to a 1-0 win over Aduana Stars.Opoku Nti's comments suggest that the club's management made the right call in appointing Zito, and the team's fortunes may still be salvaged.

Abdul Karim Zito has acknowledged that Asante Kotoko will require time to fully adjust to his methods following his recent appointment as head coach.Zito took over after the dismissal of Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum, who left the club amid a poor run of form.Zito, who previously led Dreams FC to the semifinals of the CAF Confederation Cup, made the remarks after Kotoko secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Aduana Stars at the Baba Yara Stadium.The win marked Kotoko’s first triumph in five matches, having previously gone four games without a victory.Addressing the media after the match, Zito emphasized that significant change cannot happen overnight.“Adaptation takes time, adaptation is not an easy thing. They’ve been used to the previous coach’s system…I don’t want to infuse a lot of things in them—the players."I make it simple for them because I’m yet to even know their names,” he said.Asante Kotoko's next game is against rivals Hearts of Oak on Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium.The Porcupine Warriors sit fourth on the table with 50 points while Hearts of Oak are sixth with 45 points.

Asante Kotoko legend Samuel Opoku Nti believes his former outfit can annex the Ghana Premier League title with seasoned trainer Karim Zito.The experienced tactician joined the Porcupine Warriors as an interim coach last week, replacing Prosper Narteh Ogum after a string of poor results in the top-flight.Zito begun his Kotoko spell on a good note, inflicting a 1-0 win over Aduana Stars on Sunday afternoon, ensuring the Porcupine Warriors return to winning ways after back-to-back defeats in the top-flight.Kotoko remains fourth on the Premier League standings, accumulating 50 points, just three points behind log leaders Bibiani Goldstars.Opoku Nti in an interview with Kumasi-based Akoma FM emphasized Zito can steer the Porcupine Warriors to the title.“Zito has evolved in his career as a coach, he fights for things, and knows what he's doing. He can read the game very well and with the right support, I believe he'll deliver as a coach”“Today's performance demonstrates that he (Zito) is a game changer and I feel Kotoko is capable of winning the league with Zito” he said.Asante Kotoko will play host to sworn rivals Accra Hearts of Oak in the matchday 30 of the domestic top-flight...

Asante Kotoko legend Opoku Nti has backed the Interim Management Committee’s (IMC) decision to sever ties with coach Prosper Narteh Ogum.Ogum, considered as one of the best coaches domestically was relieved of his duties last Monday following back-to-back defeat in the Ghana Premier League.In a significant reshuffle, the Porcupine Warriors appointed Abdul Karim Zito to lead the team as the acting head coach until a permanent head coach is appointed.Speaking to Akoma FM, the former Ghana international insisted the timing of Ogum’s sacking was in the right direction.“I believe the timing was right. We had about six matches left before Zito arrived now it’s five and I think it was the correct decision”“The way Kotoko was playing match after match something wasn’t clicking. It’s better to sacrifice one individual than risk the entire team falling apart”“This happens even in Europe. I knew that if they changed the coach, Kotoko could win two or three matches in a row”Karim Zito begun his Kotoko spell on a good note, inflicting a 1-0 win over Aduana Stars on Sunday afternoon, ensuring the Porcupine Warriors return to winning ways after back-to-back defeats in the top-flight.

The interim head coach of Asante Kotoko, Abdul Karim Zito, shared his excitement on Sunday evening after his team laboured to defeat Aduana Stars 1-0 in the Ghana Premier League.In the Week 29 encounter of the ongoing Ghanaian top-flight league campaign, a solitary strike from Kwame Opoku propelled the Porcupine Warriors to victory at Baba Yara Sports Stadium.Speaking in a post-match interview, Coach Abdul Karim Zito shared his delight, stressing that he is satisfied with the slim victory to earn all three points.“We worked a little bit with endurance, but the talking was too much, and then I did a lot of finishing. Almost every day I do finishing because at the end of the day, if you don’t shoot, you can’t score. I’m very happy that at least we got one goal out of what we did,” Coach Zito said.Following the win against Aduana Stars on Sunday, Asante Kotoko are back in contention for the Ghana Premier League title.The team must, however, stay focused and fight for all remaining points.