Medeama return to top spot, Wonders relegated
Medeama FC made a swift return to the summit of the Ghana Premier League after sending rock bottom Eleven Wonders down with a 2-0 victory last Friday, while defending champions Gold Stars fell 0-2 at Karela on Sunday as the race at both ends of the table intensified over the weekend.
Two first-half goals from Kelvin Obeng and Salim Adams proved decisive for the Mauves and Yellow at the Tarkwa and Aboso Stadium for their first win in seven matches. After 27 matches, Medeama sit a point above Gold Stars on 49 points, with Hearts of Oak and Kotoko following in 3rd and 4th positions respectively on 43 points apiece.
By the defeat, Eleven Wonders, who have 10 points and a massive 22 points from safety, have been confirmed relegated with seven matches to go. With 21 points more up for grabs, Wonders cannot catch up with 15th-placed Swedru All Blacks, who have 32.
Gold Stars overtook Medeama last week, but failed to maintain the momentum after Mohammed Awal Alhassan and Felix Mortu's first-half strikes for Karela settled the tie at the Aliu Mahama Stadium in Tamale. Karela jumped up to sixth spot on the log on 41 points after condemning Gold Stars to a second defeat in three games to slow their title charge.
Kotoko drought continues
Asante Kotoko, meanwhile, failed to score for the third time in the last four games after settling for a goalless stalemate with Aduana FC in Dormaa. With seven games to go, Kotoko move within six points of the leaders, while Aduana stay in fifth on 42 points.
Hearts of Oak, on the other hand, remain fourth and are still chasing a first victory since beating rivals Kotoko in Kumasi on February 15 after failing to beat Swedru All Blacks in Accra.
The Phobians finally ended their 3-month scoreless run at home but could only draw 2-2 with the visitors on their return to the Accra Sports Stadium.
Rudolf Mensah and William Danquah struck to give the relegation-battling Swedru side a shock 2-0 lead at a stunned Accra Sports Stadium before second-half goals from Mawuli Wayo and Frank Abora Duku rescued a point for the Phobians, who scored a home goal for the first time since December 26.
In Tema, Dreams FC continued with their recent impressive form with a convincing 3-0 win over Hohoe United, thanks to goals by Adams Aminu, Suraj Seidu and Abdul Razak Salifu. Dreams, unbeaten in five (three wins), move up to eighth on 37 points, five clear of the drop zone, while Hohoe remain on 30 and rooted to second bottom after defeat number 11 in their debut top-flight campaign.
Bechem United are also up to 36 points after Samuel Okai and Yaw Annor scored to grab a crucial 2-1 win in Samreboi over FC Samartex, who are now winless in seven and stay seventh with 38
In the relegation dogfight, Brandon Antwi scored five minutes from time to salvage a 1-1 draw for Nations FC against Berekum Chelsea at Abrankese, while Young Apostles moved out of the relegation zone with a 3-0 whitewash of Heart of Lions in Wenchi.
