Preview: Ghana Premier League Week 11 Fixtures

The Ghana Premier League even without any sponsorship is getting increasingly exciting and much more competitive. This weekend marks match day 11 of the league, and Uniiq Fm Sports’ Emmanuel Adu-Gyamfi takes a sneak peek at all the matches.

BEREKUM CHELSEA vs HEARTS OF OAK

All eyes will be on the obvious pick of the week game at the Golden City Park in Berekum where Chelsea have sworn to hand Hearts of Oak their second successive defeat - right after the Phobians lost to Asante Kotoko 0 – 1 on May 2 in Accra. Chelsea have been very strong at home winning all their 5 league matches this season, scoring 8 goals and yet to concede, and would have another opportunity to consolidate their gains in front of their fans led by former national youth star Saddick Adams who has scored 6 goals out of the 11 goals scored by the whole team. The rainbow club on the other hand would also want to use this match to appease their supporters, with some of their fanatics yet to come to terms with that “mallam” goal they conceded against their fiercest rivals Asante Kotoko. Hearts may be wobbly at home, but on away games they have been exciting to watch. They are yet to lose a single game, winning 2 - 0 at Medeama SC, famously winning 3 - 2 in Tema against Inter Allies and again won 2 – 1 against defending league champions AshantiGold SC in Obuasi. They however drew goalless against Dwarfs in Cape Coast and in Techiman against Techiman City. This sets up an uncompromising duel in Berekum this weekend, and the pendulum could swing in any direction.

Prediction: Berekum Chelsea 1 – 1 Hearts of Oak

TECHIMAN CITY vs WA ALL STARS

The surprise package for this season has undoubtedly been Wa All Stars and it remains to be seen if they can replicate Leicester City’s performance in the English Premier League. What may however be All Stars’ Achilles heel may depend on how they approach their away games.

They lead the league with 20 points from 10 games, yes they may be leading but truth be told it’s not over yet and there is still everything to play for. They play at the intimidating Nana Ameyaw Park in Techiman against a side that has won 4 and drawn 1 of its 5 home games and yet to concede a single goal at home.

Prediction: Techiman City 1 – 0 Wa All Stars

ASANTE KOTOKO vs EBUSUA DWARFS

But for that victory against Hearts of Oak in Accra on May 2, the performance of the Porcupine Warriors this season could very well have been described as poor. Kotoko’s status in African football folklore forbids it to lower their standards, this is why so much is always expected of them. What is dangerous for them at this moment is the fact that they are still basking in that “sweet” victory even as they come up against “a mysterious dwarf” Ebusua Dwarfs. Football historians will readily recollect how Dwarfs down by a man beat Kotoko 4 – 3 in Kumasi on 20th June 1999. Dwarfs have not won a single game away this season - they have drawn once and lost 4 - but all 4 losses have been VERY slim, meaning they cannot be mere pushovers. New Edubiase United taught everybody how Kotoko could be vulnerable at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, nevertheless Kumasi still remains a HOME for the porcupine warriors.

Prediction: Asante Kotoko 2 – 1 Dwarfs

ADUANA STARS vs DREAMS FC

Another big game to look up to this weekend will be at the Nana Agyeman Badu Park in Dormaa. Aduana Stars is the only club in the 16 team league that has won all its last 3 games scoring 10 goals in the process. For a team that lost its first 2 games of the season, culminating in the resignation of then head coach Nurudeen Ahmed, this is a huge achievement. It’ll be interesting to see how Dreams FC contains the onslaught of striker Yahaya Mohammed who is 2nd top scorer in the league with 7 goals. Interestingly, Dreams FC’s only 2 losses away have come in the Brong Ahafo Region – they lost to Techiman City (0 – 1) and Berekum Chelsea (0 –3). New Aduana Stars coach Aristica Cioaba may have turned things around for the “Ogya Mma” but don’t be surprised if Dreams FC manager C.K Akunnor with his assistant Winfred Dormon are able to “put sand in the gari” of the homesters.

Prediction: Aduana Stars 2 – 1 Dreams FC

ASHANTIGOLD SC vs BECHEM UNITED

As defending league champions, it is mind boggling to note that “The Miners” have not won at home since February, leaving their fans to vent their spleen on head coach Bashir Hayford. They traded almost all their first team players after they won the league in the 2014/15 season - their first in 19 years – and that has negatively impacted on them. But, against poor travellers Bechem United who have lost all 5 away games - conceding 12 goals - trust the “Aboakese” lads to have a goal feast at the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi.

Prediction: AshantiGold 3 – 0 Bechem United

SEKONDI HASAACAS vs NEW EDUBIASE UNITED

New Edubiase United had a stuttering campaign initially but their back-to-back wins against Asante Kotoko (away) and Berekum Chelsea (home) was absolutely classy. It will be interesting to see how they fare against Hasaacas whose only blemish at home was against Liberty Professionals. Suffice it to say Hasaacas have been quite unconvincing in their last 3 games, but coming up against an average team like New Edubiase should ordinarily not be much of a problem for the “DOOOO” boys.

Prediction: Hasaacas 1 – 0 New Edubiase

WAFA vs INTER ALLIES

With experienced coach Herbert Addo’s head on the chopping block, Inter Allies must not give anything to chance to have a go at Sogakope. But, WAFA’s near perfect home record will be enough to cause fear and panic for Inter Allies who have just a single point out from a possible 15 in their 5 away travels. More bad news for Inter Allies is that Samuel Tetteh who has combined with Charles Boateng to score 9 goals for WAFA is returning to the team after his infamous red card against Hearts of Oak in Accra. Fact is; Herbert Addo may be shown the exit right after this game.

Prediction: WAFA 2 – 0 Inter Allies

POSTPONED: LIBERTY PROFESSIONALS vs MEDEAMA SC