The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has thrown its support behind Medeama SC and Nations FC as they prepare to represent the Ghana in the 2026/27 CAF inter-club competitions over the weekend.
Ghana Premier League champions Medeama will host five-time African champions TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the first leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary-round tie at the TnA Stadium in Tarkwa on Sunday, September 6.
Nations FC, meanwhile, have already departed Ghana for Bamako, where they will face Malian side FC Diarra in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary-round tie on Saturday, September 5.
The return leg is scheduled for Ghana the following weekend. CAF has confirmed that the preliminary-round first legs will be played between September 4 and 6, with the return fixtures a week later.
The Ministry issued separate goodwill messages to both clubs urging them to carry Ghana’s hopes with confidence as they embark on their continental assignments.
Medeama Face Experienced Mazembe Challenge
Medeama enter the Champions League as Ghana’s reigning Premier League champions after securing their second league title in May. They sealed the championship with a 5-2 victory over Heart of Lions, finishing five points clear at the top of the table.
Their latest assignment, however, presents a significantly more experienced opponent. TP Mazembe are among Africa’s most decorated clubs, having won the CAF Champions League five times, including three titles in the modern Champions League era in 2009, 2010 and 2015. They have also reached the FIFA Club World Cup three times and finished runners-up in 2010.
The Sports Ministry acknowledged the scale of the challenge while insisting that Medeama have the quality to compete.
“TP Mazembe are one of Africa’s most accomplished clubs, but this is also an opportunity for Medeama to demonstrate its own ambition,” the Ministry stated, before urging the Tarkwa-based side to “respect the opposition but believe in yourselves.”
The Ministry also reminded Medeama that they have already competed at this level, having reached the Champions League group stage during the 2023/24 campaign.
It encouraged the Ghanaian champions to trust their preparation, play with courage and ensure that home advantage counts.
Nations Begin Historic Continental Journey
For Nations FC, the assignment represents an important milestone as the Abrankese-based club prepares for its first appearance in continental football.
Nations earned their place in the Confederation Cup after winning the 2025/26 MTN FA Cup, defeating Dreams FC on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time. The triumph was the club’s first FA Cup title and secured continental qualification despite their relegation from the Premier League.
Their opponents, FC Diarra, are also entering the Confederation Cup for the first time. The Malian club and Nations FC are among the 17 debutants in this season’s competition.
Diarra’s rise has been rapid. The Bamako-based club secured promotion to Mali’s top division in 2024 after winning all four of their matches in the promotion tournament. They subsequently finished fourth in the 2025/26 Malian Ligue 1, recording 13 wins from 26 matches.
The Ministry has called on Nations to approach the occasion with confidence, unity and discipline, describing their continental journey as a chance to showcase Ghanaian talent and inspire young players across the country.
“Go out there with pride, lift our flag high, and make us all proud,” the Ministry urged Nations, before adding that “the nation is watching, and we believe in you.”
With both clubs carrying Ghanaian hopes beyond the country’s borders, the Ministry has urged supporters across the country to rally behind the two representatives as they seek strong starts to their respective continental campaigns.
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