The race for victory and survival for clubs in the Ghana Premier League has steadily been reinforced with only nine matches to the end of another stimulating season fraught with controversies, disappointments and some awe-inspiring moments.
In what seemed to be an unexciting and an insipid league, the GPL has undoubtedly produced glittering and dazzling performances from both the league debutants and the already existing teams amidst the clamour for glory by the two most glamorous teams in the country (Hearts and Kotoko).
While Kumasi Asante Kotoko appear to be gradually finding their feet by recording back to back victories including a victory over arch rivals, Hearts of Oak to lift the President’s Cup, the Phobians success in the early stages of the league have dropped drastically leading to a slip to the fourth position on the league table.
Hearts have gone two games without a win in the ongoing league including last Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Bechem United and a home defeat to Ashantigold at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Phobians chances of winning their first league title in nine years looks gloomy after the defeat to Bechem United, but expatriate coach, Frank Nuttall has refused to throw in the towel by claiming that his charges could still end the season as champions despite their recent slump in form.
Nuttal and his team will return to the Accra Sports stadium to seek the maximum points in a crunch encounter against Berekum Chelsea today while Inter Allies will welcome the Porcupine Warriors at the El-Wak stadium. Inter Allies have accumulated 29 points and lie 6th on the league table while Asante Kotoko are third after managing to pull 35 points in 21 matches this season.
League leaders West African Football Academy (WAFA) have undeniably been a force to reckon with especially at the Red Bull Stadium in Sogakope. The young lads have exhibited some exquisite and flawless football skills accompanied with some good team work to propel them to the top of the league for the first time in the club’s history.
Victory for WAFA today against a resurgent Bechem United side will most likely widen the gap between second placed Aduana Stars who are gunning to face a very torrid and an equally daunting encounter against Wa All Stars at the Malik Jabir stadium in Wa.
The battle for relegation has also intensified at the bottom of the league with Elmina Sharks, Great Olympics and Bolga All Stars struggling to avoid relegation to the division one league. Ahead of their meeting with AshantiGold at home, Bolga All Stars are at the bottom of the table with no hope of surviving the demotion.
Considering the resurgence of Great Olympics and Elmina Sharks in their last Sunday’s fixtures against Wa All Stars and Bolga All Stars respectively, and the fact that Ashantigold have been outstanding at the Len Clay stadium, it would seem that the battle for the bottom three will be between these four teams. Then again, this is the Ghana Premier League. Anything can happen. And who knows, Tema Youth and Liberty Professionals may soon join their ranks as well.
Relegation to the Division one league won’t be the end of the line for any of these clubs. However, it is expected to be an expensive affair to keep the clubs afloat. Each of these clubs are in danger of relegation and therefore need to be wary and smart about their business now.
Elmina Sharks will travel to the Carl Reindolph Park in Dansoman to face Liberty Professionals while Ebusua Dwarfs will seek to capitalise on their win against Tema Youth to defeat Accra Great Olympics at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast.
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