Season ending matches for this year’s edition of the Ghana Premier League will come on this Sunday with all the intrigue on the bottom half of the Premier League table, as the relegation drama heads off into a photo finish with Accra Gt. Olympics and Tema Youth hoping to stave off looming relegation in the Brong Ahafo Region, as guests of Bechem United, and Berekum Chelsea respectively.
Several other teams on the bottom half of the table: Elmina Sharks, AshantiGold, and Liberty Professionals, will also have their destiny in their hands as they go for the maximum points at home against Wa All Stars, Aduana Stars, and Asante Kotoko to ‘crossover’ into Premier League safety, come COB on Sunday.
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Elsewhere on Sunday, Accra Hearts of Oak, WAFA, and Bolga All Stars will have the chance to close out the season with a win against Inter Allies, Medeama SC and Ebusua Dwarfs in that order.
Elmina Sharks vs Wa All Stars – Elmina
Following their contentious 2-1 loss against Aduana Stars that saw their outspoken owner, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, lambast the GFA in a scathing piece, the Sharks who have 39points and the 9th spot, and are 2points adrift of safety will have the chance to put their survival beyond doubt as they host last year’s Premier League Champions – Wa All Stars.
They held Wa All Stars to a thrilling one-all tie in the first meet, but with a shot at the fourth spot as their main motivation, it is doubtful, Wa All Stars will be able to marshal the resources for the 3points against their precocious hosts who need it more than them.
The home crowd, coupled with the desire to avoid any last minute untoward relegation surprises, makes the Sharks favorites in this one.
AshantiGold vs Aduana Stars – Obuasi
With 38points for the for the 11th spot, the one-time bottom dwellers – AshGold – will be hoping to complete their Premier League survival journey, as they host champions-in-waiting – Aduana Stars.
Following their disappointing lone goal loss to Gt. Olympics this past weekend, AshGold who have played much better lately, and have lost just once at home this second half, should be up to the task.
For Aduana Stars, who are on a seven game unbeaten run - 5 wins and 2 ties – and still in celebratory mode, ahead of their November 5th coronation, it’s doubtful they will mount a major resistance.
Hearts of Oak vs Inter Allies – Accra Sports Stadium
After vaulting to the 10th spot on 39points on the wings of their first back to back win of the season, relegation wary Inter Allies will have the chance to guarantee their stay in the premiership, as they take on regional neighbors, Accra Hearts of Oak on Sunday.
With the third spot guaranteed, irrespective of what happens this Sunday, Accra Hearts of Oak will be looking to close out the season with their 14th win. But for a side whose season has been somewhat okay, looking at where they started off in terms of their head coaching position, and still have the chance of winning the coveted Football Association Cup (FA Cup) against arch rivals Asante Kotoko on 29th of October, a draw, a loss, or a win all boils down to whether they want to invest resources in a meaningless match or a meaningful match.
The two sides played out to a pulsating goalless tie in the reverse fixture, and although the Phobians will like to close out the season on a winning note, especially heading into their FA Cup showdown, I think Inter Allies picks up a crucial point in this game.
Bechem United vs Great Olympics – Bechem
On the heels of their recent impressive four games unbeaten run (3 wins and a tie), that still has them stuck in the 15th spot on 36points, 2points shy of the first safe spot, incidentally held by their hosts for this weekend, Accra Gt. Olympics will be playing their most important match of the season.
Unfortunately for the Wonder Club, they will be playing away from home – where it’s hard to win – against, the appropriately nicknamed ‘Hunters’ in this instance, who also have their very survival in the Premier League on the line.
In looking at the records, it’s worth noting that the Rosalinda Club has mounted some brilliant plays on the road, in the course of their survival run: a goalless tie against Dwarfs, and a lone goal win at the El Wak Stadium, against relegation-wary Inter Allies. But on the road, and on the ropes against a Bechem United side that has lost just once at home all season long (first round) to a then surging WAFA side, and are currently on a four consecutive game winning run at home, salvaging a point, much more all the 3points they need to stay alive looks very much improbable. But then again, it’s not for naught that they enjoy the accolade ‘Wonder Club’
Definitely one of the two intriguing matches with weighty relegation implications as the winner likely gets an immediate stay of execution from the dreadful claws of relegation.
Bechem routed Gt. Olympics by three goals to one in the previous fixture, given the dialogue around Sunday’s meet, I think, Bechem will end their season the same way they started it.
Bolga All Stars vs Ebusua Dwarfs – Bolga
One of several inconsequential matches of the day as Bolga All Stars have already cemented their spot in the relegation zone, and Dwarfs have also guaranteed their stay.
Perhaps Bolga All Stars will finally take advantage of being at home to up their win total to grand total of three for the season, as well as give their loyal fans something to cheer about, or the seventh placed on 41points Ebusua Dwarfs will capitalize for a shot at the fourth spot held by Kotoko with 43points.
Dwarfs won the previous encounter by three goals to one.
WAFA vs Medeama SC - Sogakope
Another of the day’s inconsequential matches as WAFA is guaranteed the runner-up spot irrespective of the outcome, and Medeama SC with 41points and the 6th spot will likely finish in the top half of the table.
Either way, it will be an opportunity for the Academy Lads to avenge their lone goal first round loss to their guests, as well as end the season on a winning note.
I think vengeance will be WAFA’s although Medeama seems capable of salvaging a point.
Berekum Chelsea vs Tema Youth
Fourteenth placed on 37points relegation threatened Tema Youth will be hoping to turn the tables on what looks like certain return to the wilderness of Division One soccer, as they mount one last stand against the relegation threat, as guests of relegation-wary Berekum Chelsea at the Golden City Park on Sunday.
Unfortunately for the Harbor Boys, their mid-table opponents, who have 39points, will also be all up for the game, as a loss can spell relegation for them depending on how events elsewhere shape up.
In this highly prized winner stays in the Premiership match, Tema Youth are at a disadvantage, given their ineffectiveness away from home where they remain winless. Berekum Chelsea, on their part, have the advantage at home where they are undefeated this season, although they have on a couple of occasions been held to a tie.
Definitely an intriguing match in the making with all the onus on Tema Youth to pull the upset as a point will likely not do them any good. Tema Youth won the first meeting by two goals to one. Looks like B. Chelsea will exact revenge this time around.
Liberty Professionals vs Asante Kotoko - Carl Reindorf, Dansoman
Of all the relegation wary teams, Liberty Professionals seem to have the most daunting task as they take on FA Cup finalists – Asante Kotoko – in a must win or at worst tie match.
But with their tenuous hold on the fourth spot on the line, the Porcupine Warriors find themselves in the same position as their arch rivals, and that is, if they should invest precious resources in a meaningless match ahead of next week’s Sunday FA Cup grand finale match against Hearts of Oak. And therein, I think, lies Liberty’s path to picking up the three points, especially if they can bend and then gradually break down their guests.
Liberty Professionals have their destiny in their hands, but their stay in the Premiership is also guaranteed should Gt. Olympics and Tema Youth both lose. Kotoko won the first matchup by two goals to one, and it seems like Liberty gets their revenge or at worse a point.
Ghana Premier League Week 30 Fixtures At A Glance
Elmina Sharks vs Wa All Stars – Elmina
AshantiGold vs Aduana Stars – Obuasi
Hearts of Oak vs Inter Allies – Accra Sports Stadium
Bechem United vs Great Olympics – Bechem
Bolga All Stars vs Ebusua Dwarfs – Bolga
WAFA vs Medeama SC - Sogakope
Berekum Chelsea vs Tema Youth - Berekum
Liberty Professionals vs Asante Kotoko - Carl Reindorf, Dansoman
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