Aduana, Kotoko in dicey away duels as Hearts, Oly clash in Accra

A possible shake up at the apex of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) log beckons as leaders Aduana Stars travel south to the El Wak Stadium to face Inter Allies on Sunday.

Similarly, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, who are closely on the heels of the Aduana lads will travel up north to engage struggling Bolga All Stars in an encounter which also looks very tricky.

Both Aduana and Kotoko have 13 points apiece with four goals separating the two, but third-placed Bechem United will need three more points to be able to catch up with the leaders.

Aduana will be in Accra full of confidence after their convincing 2-0 win over Accra Hearts of Oak at Dormaa-Ahenkro last Sunday. But against Inter Allies, who last lost to Wa All Stars at the Wa park, the fight for the three points will be unrelenting.

On the other hand, the task ahead of Kotoko at the Tamale Utrecht Park, the adopted home grounds of Bolga All Stars, looks very simple for the Fabulous boys even though Bolga All Stars, gradually earning the tag as “whipping boys” in their debut GPL, will like to shake off that tag, especially against a top-notch side like Kotoko.

Kotoko coach Zdravko Logarusic and his assistant, Godwin Ablordey, will be eager to keep up the chase at the top of the log and will parade their best, including the new kid on the block Emmanuel Gyamfi, with support from the likes of Yakubu Mohammed, Eric Donkor, Baba Mahama, Ollennu Ashietey, Tuffour Frimpong and goalkeeper Felix Annan to keep their dream on course.

And while the top-of-the-table clashes heat up in Tamale and at the El Wak Stadium, the Accra Sports Stadium will be another attraction as Hearts of Oak and Great Olympics renew their traditional premiership rivalry once again.

Hearts, in their last two meetings managed to win 1-0 after a goalless draw in the first leg.

But matches between the two sides have always been full of drama, superstition and passion and Sunday’s encounter will be no exception as it will boil down to who wins the bragging right this season.

Great Olympics are yet to win a match but under-fire coach-player Godwin Attram believes Sunday’s clash with the Phobia boys will open a new chapter for the Dade boys, who are bent on winning against Hearts to chart a new course this season.

In the other fixtures, Elmina Sharks will welcome Chelsea to the Nduom Stadium at Elmina, Wa All Stars will be at the Tarkwa T and A park against Medeama SC, while a wounded Ashgold will hope to vent their spleen on Bechem United.

Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals will also host Ebusua Dwarfs at the Carl Reindorf Park with WAFA and Tema Youth facing off at Sogakope.