First Capital League blues

The wonder of the 2014/2015 First Capital Premier League, which finally kicks off this weekend, has left club officials wondering whether they can make money at the gates following the direct competition from AFCON 2015, while Great Olympics remain in wonder over the absence of their dream coach David Duncan.

Another wonder was the sudden decision by King Faisal to resign to their fate to play in the Division One League after a four-month legal tussle with the FA against their demotion.

But with the dust settled, the16 premiership clubs will have no breathing space between now and April 29 when the first round of the delayed league is expected to end, as a three-man Premier League Board (PLB) fires the gun today to set the topflight race into motion. 

The chairman of the PLB, Mr Welbeck Abra-Appiah, who spoke to the Graphic Sports yesterday preferred to keep soccer followers in suspense till today’s launch, indicating the surprises the sponsors might have in store for Ghanaians. 

As Asante Kotoko will be under pressure to defend their title with an away opener against emerging foes, Aduana Stars, at Dormaa-Ahenkro, so will Olympics defend their Wonder Club accolade stoutly, albeit negatively, with no sign of travelling to Obuasi with Coach Duncan to face Ashantigold, amidst some internal wranglings.

Four days to their crucial game against the Miners, Olympics are still pushing for the return of David Duncan after a tripartite agreement with Hearts for his release fell through.

As if that is not enough, the club’s chief executive, Afotei Odai, who masterminded the team’s comeback, is said to be embroiled in a silent power play with strategic investor, Optimum Media Prime (OMP).

Ahead of Kotoko’s dicey assignment against Aduana Stars, Coach Didi Dramani has also been tasked to search for a scout to enhance their league and CAF Champions League aspirations, while the recent changes in the technical direction of Inter Allies and Medeama will make their encounter at Tema equally interesting.

Weeks to the start of the league, Medeama had to replace their head coach, Prince Owusu, with former Berekum Chelsea coach, Annor Walker, while Yaw Acheampong resigned and left the job for Paa Kwesi Fabin when Inter Allies tried to impose the latter on him as technical director. 

Coach Owusu, formerly of Tema Youth, fell for the dollar bait and joined former Black Stars coach, Kwasi Appiah, to Sudan to handle Khartoum FC.  

At Kpando on Saturday, Coach Herbert Addo’s ambition to reclaim the title from sworn rivals Kotoko begins with a tough tie against returnee Feyenoord Academy, now known as West Africa Football Academy (WAFA).

And at the same venue on Sunday, landlords Heart of Lions, with Abubakar Yusif still at the helm,  will paly host to Coach Anthony Commey’s New Edubiase United.

At Sekondi, Hasaacas welcome Liberty Professionals; back-to-batan B.A.United clash with Bechem United at Sunyani, while Wa All Stars will be home to Chelsea.