Aduana, Hearts battle for the top
Current league leaders Accra Hearts of Oak and Dormaa-based Aduana Stars will battle for the top spot as the two teams come face to face at the Agyemang Badu park in the top fixture of this weekend’s Premier League encounters.
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The Phobians have settled uncomfortably at the summit with 24 points, leading second-placed Aduana by just two points and yet aware that a slip at Dormaa-Ahenkro on Sunday could cost them the top spot. That is the pressure Coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi will have to deal with in the run up to Sunday’s game.
Hearts, under the guidance of their Japanese-American trainer, the Phobians experienced a good start to the league while Aduana Stars recorded some abysmal results in the early weeks of the season which led to the sacking of coach Nurudeen Ahmed and paved the way for the arrival of Cioaba Aristica, who turned the fortunes of the club around.
While Hearts have enjoyed impressive away performances this season — they are undefeated away and have won four out of six games — Aduana have also turned their home grounds to a waterloo for most visiting clubs in recent times, having won five out of six home games which makes Sunday’s encounter difficult to predict.
With the return of talented midfielder Samudeen Ibrahim to the bench, coach Kenichi has more options to choose from as he seeks to line up a battalion of soldiers capable of breaking the home might of Aduana who will be eyeing the top position in the event of a slip by the Phobians.
Coach Aristica, on the other hand, will be looking forward to building on their improved performances week after week by halting the Phobians and possibly begin to dream of another league triumph.
Another captivating fixture this weekend is the game between Dreams FC and Medeama, who defeated South Africa’s Memelodi Sundowns to qualify to the group stages of this year’s CAF Confederation Cup.
Divided attention between domestic and continental campaigns may have affected Medeama’s performance in the league, but with Sundowns out of their way, Coach Evans Addotey can get his side to begin their climb. But they will find Dreams unyielding at their Dawu base where Coach Charles Akonnor’s side have lost just once this season.
In other fixtures, Kumasi Asante Kotoko look favourites to deepen the woes of struggling inter Allies at the Baba Yara stadium, while struggling Ashgold return to the Obuasi base to face third-placed Wa All Stars.
Liberty Professionals play host to New Edubiase United at the Carl Reindorf Park at Dansoman, while Sekondi Hasaacas play bottom club Ebusua Dwarfs at Essipon.
Berekum Cheslea play Bechem United in an uncompromising regional derby at the Golden City Park, while WAFA will seek to maintain their unbeaten home run when they host Techiman City at Sogakope.