Relegation battles, title chase resume

The Ghana Premier League bounces back this Sunday after the international break with the battle against relegation expected to be as fierce and uncompromising as the title chase. And with three games to end the season, all matches will kick-off concurrently to give no club undue advantage.

League leaders Wa All Stars travel down south to face Liberty Professionals at Dansoman in a clash whose result will have a bearing on both the title race and relegation dogfight, with Liberty just above the borderline and eager to avoid a slip into the relegation web, while the visiting side would hope to avoid a slip that could prove very costly.

The Dansoman-based club are celebrating their 20th anniversary in what is turning out to be a rather difficult premiership campaign amidst rumours of player discontentment over salary arrears, but losing at home against the league leaders —who have won just one of their last five away games — could prove costlier for the Scientific Soccer lads. Such is the pressure on Liberty head coach, George Odartey Lamptey, who is expected to bring his experience to bear on their relegation dogfight and craft an important winning strategy around players such as Latif Blessing, Samuel Sarfo, Tamimu Muntari and Daniel Kordie.

Another tricky encounter comes off at Dormaa-Ahenkro where second-placed Aduana Stars host Techiman City in a clash Aduana will want to win ahead of a potential title decider against All Stars in Wa next week. Aduana are three points off the leaders and will aim for their 11th home win but not without a fight against their Brong Ahafo regional rivals who are without an away win all season but still not totally out of the woods yet.

The two teams shared the spoils in their first round clash at the Nana Ameyaw Park at Techiman and Sunday’s would be no less competitive because the stakes are high for both sides.

Third-placed Kumasi Asante Kotoko travel to Tarkwa to play fifth-placed Medeama SC in a tricky affair as both sides have their eye on a place for continental competition next season. Kotoko’s acting General Manager, Samuel Opoku Nti, says the club will not give up on the title fight and that ambition remains their key motivation when the face the home side who are also in a good position to qualify for a continental championship and keyed up to give the Porcupine Warriors a run for their money.

Accra Hearts of Oak’s acting coach Yaw Preko takes charge of the team on a redemption mission at the Accra Sports Stadium where they play Ebusua Dwarfs, in a game the Phobians hope to win to fire up their slim title chances.

In the other fixtures, Dreams FC are tipped to worsen the relegation troubles of 14th-placed Inter Allies when the two sides meet at Dawu Berekum Chelsea host Ashgold at the Golden City Park, relegation-threatened Sekondi Hasaacas host sixth-placed WAFA at Essipon with the home side aiming for revenge after losing the first round clash 0-5 at Sogakope.

Relegation-bound New Edubiase United will welcome MTN FA Cup winners Bechem United at the Nana Gyamfi Park at Bekwai.