The Ghana Premier League enters week six with some very interesting encounters to dish out. Hearts of Oak’s title credentials will face a stern test this weekend, while Kotoko will have their hands full when they travel to Aduana.
Footy-Ghana’s Fentuo Tahiru brings you what to expect from match day 6.
Match: Ebusua Dwarfs Vs Inter Allies
Venue: Robert Mensah Stadium, Cape Coast
Kick-off: 3:20pm, Saturday
Ebusua Dwarfs’ start to the season has been anything but good. Coach J.E. Sarpong has already had meltdowns, threatening to resign following on the second game of the season. So much has changed since then. The good atmosphere has returned, and their FA cup triumph over Eleven Wise should provide the needed impetus to finally kick-start their season. Inter Allies have flattered to deceive thus far. With quality players such as Evans Mensah, Isaac Twum, Ropapa Mensah and Prince Baffoe, it’s a surprise they’ve only won one game all season. In Cape Coast, they should do well. Dwarfs have struggled to score this season, but just one goal should be enough on Saturday.
Prediction: Dwarfs 1-0 Inter Allies
Match: New Edubiase Vs Techiman City
Venue: Len Clay Stadium, Obuasi
Kick-off: 3:30pm, Saturday
New Edubiase have had a torrid start to the season with just the one win in their opening 5 games. They have struggled to pick any points away from home losing all three and also failed to win last time out at home against Inter Allies. Against Techiman City, who themselves have lost both games played at home so far, this should be a cagey encounter. But I’m sticking with my guts and I’m going for a draw. I can’t see Edubiase winning.
Prediction: New Edubiase 1-1 Techiman City
Match: Hearts Of Oak Vs Wa All Stars
Venue: Accra Sports Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm
This is a top of the table affair and should provide great opportunity for both sides to put their title credentials to test. All Stars have a great record against Hearts of Oak, especially at the Accra Sports stadium. Unforgettably, the Wa lads gave Hearts a 3-0 mauling two years ago. However, things have changed these days and Hearts have arguably the best team in the country at the moment. Confidence should be high-flying in both comes as the two teams come into this game on the back of impressive wins. It’s the best defense against the best attack with Richard Ofori having conceded just one goal so far. Nonetheless, I believe the Hearts of Oak firepower will be too much for Wa All Stars.
Prediction: Hearts of Oak 2-1 Wa All Stars
Match: Sekondi Hasaacas Vs Berekum Chelsea
Venue: Essipong Stadium, Sekondi
Kick-off: 3pm
Hasaacas have one of the worst defense I have ever seen in the Ghana premier league. It’s shameful how many goals they’ve conceded so far; 12 in 5 games. With experienced campaigners like Daniel Agyin and Amos Korankye at the back for the Dooo boys, it baffles me how their back line can still be that leaky. Up front, Papa Arko and Samuel Afful have yet to live up to expectation while Bekoe will hope another goal can add to his swelling ego. Chelsea will have a lot to say about that though. Returnee striker Sadick Adams has truly been a revelation and his goals have ensured the Blues now sit in a comfortable 3rd position. I see this game ending in a draw.
Prediction: Hasaacas 2-2 Berekum Chelsea
Match: Aduana Stars Vs Asante Kotoko
Venue: Agyemang Badu Park, Dormaa
Kick-off: 3pm
This is the battle of ridiculousness. But while Aduana’s problems might just be coming to an end, Kotoko’s are still far from over. Going into a game that is traditionally very difficult to win, the bonus brouhaha of the last week isn’t exactly what the team needed. Performances for both sides have been sketchy with either side having won just a game each so far. Kotoko have picked up only 2 points in their last 4 visits to Dormaa and it’s no secret that it’s more than just three points when these two sides meet. Funnily, this is one of those games I believe Kotoko can pick up a point.
Prediction: Aduana 1-1 Kotoko
Match: Liberty Vs Ashantigold
Venue: Carl Reindolf Park, Dansoman
Kick-off: 3pm
Ashantigold have become something of draw masters with 4 draws out of the five games played. It’s also worth pointing out that they haven’t lost any of those games. Liberty on the other hand, have done well so far this season, winning both games played at home. Ashantigold have a good record in Dansoman, having not lost there in their last 4 visits. This time shouldn’t be any different.
Prediction: Liberty 2-2 Ashgold
Match: Dreams Vs WAFA
Venue: Dawu Park, Dawu
Kick-off: 3pm
Dreams FC were very unlucky to lose in Techiman in their last game. Disappointingly, they’re also out of the FA Cup. In the long run, that should play to their advantage. But for now, they have it all to do against WAFA, a side that has been terrible on the road. 2 games away, 2 losses for WAFA. Dreams have a good blend of experience and youth while WAFA is mostly made up of the latter. WAFA have struggled on the road partly because of the nature of the pitches in the other grounds. But no team can make themselves a serious competition if they can grind out results in some of the most difficult grounds. Having said that, I think this game will end in a narrow win for Dreams.
Prediction: Dreams 2-1 WAFA
Match: Medeama Vs Bechem United
Venue: T & A Park, Tarkwa
Kick-off: 3:20pm
Medeama have had a very tough last few days. Coach Tom Strand was awol in the game against Chelsea in midweek, but is expected to return to the bench when they host Bechem. Just one win for the Mauves and Yellows isn’t the kind of start their supporters envisaged. The distractions have been too many. However, Medeama have proved themselves to be a very strong team when playing at home. At the same time, Bechem have lost every game played away so far this season, and only one of the last 6 games between these two sides has ended in a draw; every team wins their home fixture. Sunday will provided a similar story.
Prediction: Medeama 2-0 Bechem United
