Match Info:
Game: Ashantigold SC vs Medeama SC
Date: Saturday 5th Match, 2016.
Venue: Len Clay Stadium, Obuasi
Kick-off: 4:30pm
Given the circumstances surrounding Ashantigold’s exit from the CAF champions league, the defending champions will know that defending their premier league title represents one of only two opportunities for silverware this campaign.
While they will be looking to put the disappointments of Africa behind them when they host Berekum Chelsea at the Obuasi Len Clay stadium, Bashir Hayford’s side will recognise that it won’t be that easy against the Blues.
While in the premier league, Ashgold opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory against Medeama, Chelsea had to wait till match day 2 to record their first victory of the campaign. And it was a valuable one at that.
Experienced striker Sadick Adams would be instrumental to Chelsea’s season this year and he showed early indications of that by scoring that all important goal to give the Berekum-based side all three points against WAFA last weekend.
Games between Ashgold and Chelsea are naturally cagey affairs, with four of the last six games between the two teams ending in draws. In fact, the last three encounters between these sides have ended 0-0, 0-0, and 1-1. By the look of the score lines, this doesn’t appear an interesting affair. But you’d be deceived to think that. There’s never a boring game between the miners and the blues.
Part of Ashantigold’s problem in Africa was their inability to use their quartet signing Emmanuel Nti Mensah, Godfred Rockson, Frederick Quayson and Daniel Addo because they were signed too late to be registered for the Africa inter-club competition. Their availability should hand coach Bashir Hayford a massive boost.
Chelsea on the other hand are expected to welcome back midfielder Asiwome Fumador after his brush with death on match day 1 in Techiman. Solomon Odwo’s side however, aren’t big winners away from home with only one victory in their last 36 games on the road. Comparatively, you’d have to go back two years to find the last time the miners lost at home and have never lost to their opponents at home either.
Heat-to-Head
Total matches played = 14
Ashanti Gold SC wins = 3
Drawn games = 7
Berekum Chelsea wins = 4
