PREVIEW: WEEK 21 GHANA PREMIER FIXTURES The Ghana Premier League (GPL) may not have the best of sponsorships – compared to other African countries - but its competitiveness can never be doubted. It may have its own attendant problems, but it still garners some bit of interest. A lot of people may have lost interest in the local league because there are hardly quality stars around. Few years ago, there were several top stars in the league; Ishmael Addo, Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour, Charles Taylor, Michael Osei ‘Ember’, Isaac Owusu ‘Ninja’, Nana Arhin Duah, Edmund Copson, Charles Allotey, Joseph Hendricks, Godfred Yeboah ‘TV3’, Gabriel Issah Ahmed, Saanie Wahab, Joe Ansah, Jacob Nettey, Stephen Tetteh, Sammy Adjei, Nana Arhin Duah, Aziz Ansah, Stephen Oduro and a host of them. Same cannot be said now but there are quite a few bright spots that have made the GPL exciting to watch; Nicholas Gyan, Ahmed Toure, Majeed Ashimeru, Gideon Waja, Thomas Abbey, Winful Cobbinah, Stephen Sarfo, Joseph Paintsil, Hans Kwofie, Vincent Atinga, Komlan Agbeniadan, Ahmed Adams, Emmanuel Gyamfi and the likes. Again, to tickle the interest of soccer lovers are some sumptuous pairings in Week 21 of the GPL. There’s still no clear candidate(s) to either win the league or be relegated at the end of the season. TEMA YOUTHvs EBUSUA DWARFS: This is a game which will be exciting on all fronts. Aside the maximum points at stake, the individual brilliance of Dwarfs goal poacher Nicholas Gyan who lead the goal scorers chart with 10 goals would tickle your fancy. Joseph Paintsil has also made all the difference for Tema Youth, and if the homesters are able to win, it will surely depend on the offensive midfielder. Dwarfs have not won a single game away this season, and are coming up against a Tema Youth side that have lost just once at home this season – against Asante Kotoko. Earlier in the season, Tema Youth held Dwarfs to a 1 – 1 draw in Cape Coast which has psychologically boosted their confidence for this weekend’s challenge. ASANTE KOTOKO vs MEDEAMA SC: Asante Kotoko have not won against Medeama in 5 GPL games; and in the Yellow and Mauves’ last visit to Kumasi, it was a Malik Akowuah’s thunderous freekick in the 39th minute that made all the headlines in the 2 – 2 stalemate. However, the porcupine warriors seem to have rediscovered their confidence with an improved performance under Coach Steve Pollack and looks set to snap the maximum points at stake. This is because Medeama have a not too good away record this season and would have to dig deep in their experience to be able to nick at least a point. BEREKUM CHELSEA vs INTER ALLIES: The Golden City Park has been the waterloo for many a club for years, with Inter Allies not being an exception. This season, Chelsea have not lost at home; Inter Allies have not won away and that sets up an intriguing encounter. All things being equal, mercurial talisman Stephen Sarfo should be able to make a huge impact at home. BECHEM UNITED vs HEARTS OF OAK: The last visit of the Phobians to the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park ended in an embarrassing 3 – 1 defeat with lanky striker Abednego Tetteh scoring a hattrick. Abednego may not be around but there is an adequate replacement in Ivorian Ahmed Toure who can spring a surprise at any time. However, if the rainbow boys have serious intent on winning the league, they have to win this game. ADUANA STARS vs LIBERTY PROFESSIONALS: Aduana Stars almost won last season’s league by a whisker, and felt hard done by Tamale based referee Ali Alhassan in their penultimate game against All Stars in Wa. Arguably, they parade the best players in the league and on a good day, can beat any team. Liberty look wobbly and are not too far off relegation. It will be interesting to see how Liberty’s captain who is a Policeman can withstand the attacking prowess of Bright Adjei, Nathaniel Asamoah, Zakaria Mumuni, Daniel Darkwah and the likes. It is a herculean task for new Liberty coach Michael Osei but in football ‘everything is possible’. ELMINA SHARKS vs BOLGA ALL STARS: In a rather surprising move, Elmina Sharks have acquired the services of Brazilian attacker Abner Martins dos Santos Pinto to augment their squad. Interestingly, Sharks will be the 27 year old’s 14th club in 9 years. Bolga All Stars have the worst record in the league, and so it would be a major shock if the Sharks are unable to beat them. With a terrible record of 1 draw, 9 losses in 10 games away, Bolga All Stars are candidates for relegation. The President of Elmina Sharks Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom may mean well for the club, but his direct influences on the technical issues of the team may cost them dearly. GREAT OLYMPICS vs WA ALL STARS: All is not well with Great Olympics; and might just be returning to Division 1. There is so much confusion in the team that has directly affected the psyche of the players. Hiring Tom Strand was a basic mistake which should have been avoided but the banter between Godwin Attram and Oluboi Commodore are needless, destructive and childish. Defending GPL Champions Wa All Stars have been appalling this season, which has led to the sacking of coach Enos Adepa but their struggles may not end anytime soon if they continue to sell their best players. The side that demonstrates better aggression may win this game. ASHANTIGOLD SC vs WAFA: A resurgent AshGold side come up against league leaders WAFA in an uncompromising duel in Obuasi. Coach C.K Akunnor miraculously has been able to change the fortunes of the Miners winning in all their last 4 games, scoring 8 times without conceding. The first round’s 3 – 0 mauling in Sogakope has come and gone; WAFA should be ready for a new AshGold team under C.K. WAFA may be leading the GPL, but their inability to win away from home in their last 4 games sets up a very difficult tie at the Len Clay Stadium. Officials for Week 21 GPL Fixtures: Match: Tema Youth vs Ebusua Dwarfs Venue: Tema, Astro Turf Referee: Latif Adaari Asst 1: Badiu Alhassan Asst 2: Alex Enning 4th Ref: Isaac Quaye Match Commissioner: S.A Aboagye Match: Asante Kotoko vs Medeama SC Venue: Kumasi, Baba Yara Sports Stadium Referee: Prosper Adii Asst 1: Augustine Akugri Asst 2: Paul Atimaka 4th Ref: Uriah Glah Match Commissioner: Leanier Addy Match: Berekum Chelsea vs Inter Allies Venue: Berekum, Golden City Park Referee: Nathan Anafo Asst 1: Freeman Awulo Asst 2: Kennedy Bentil 4th Ref: Reginald Lathbridge Match Commissioner: Yaw Adu Match: Bechem United vs Hearts of Oak Venue: Bechem, Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park Referee: S.B Bortey Asst 1: Joseph Ayambila Asst 2: Sam Borquaye 4th Ref: Ernest Baafi Match Commissioner: J.B Yakubu Match: Aduana Stars vs Liberty Professionals Venue: Dormaa, Nana Agyeman Badu Park Referee: Dally Gagba Asst 1: Adam Badiu Asst 2: Samuel Asiedu 4th Ref: Nuhu Liman Match Commissioner: Paul Ayamba Match: Ashantigold SC vs WAFA Venue: Obuasi, Len Clay Stadium Referee: Prince Amoah Asst 1: Malik Salifu Asst 2: Emurana Salifu 4th Ref: Kenny Padi Match Commissioner: M.N Ayeh Match: Elmina Sharks vs Bolga All Stars Venue: Elmina, Nduom Park Referee: Yaw Ametepeh Asst 1: Rahman Salifu Asst 2: Theresa Akongyam 4th Ref: Kyeremeh Yeboah Match Commissioner: Harry Atutornu Match: Great Olympics vs Wa All Stars Venue: Accra, Accra Sports Stadium Referee: Otis Oppong Asst 1: Richard Appiah Asst 2: Joseph Sey 4th Ref: Amofa Sarkodie Match Commissioner: Andrew Derry By: Adu-Gyamfi Emmanuel GBC