1. The battle of the Tankos
Accra Lions on Friday will host Karela United at the Accra Sports Stadium. 19 points have been accrued between the two teams in a combined 18 matches.
Karela are winless in their last 7 games, their last win was in MD2 when they won 3-1 against Berekum Chelsea.
Shaibo Tanko’s men are falling down the league log. On the other hand, Ibrahim Tanko’s Accra Lions have won just one game in their last 7. These two teams are not a delight to watch and a defeat to any side can send them to the relegation zone.
Accra Lions vs Karela United
Time: 3 pm, Friday
Venue:Accra Sports Stadium
2. Nsenkyire Sports Arena awaits Kotoko
Samartex has won all four games they have played at the Nsenkyire Park this season including a 4-1 thrashing of Bechem United. Aduana Stars, Dreams and Legon Cities are the other teams to have fallen victim to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena.
Nurudeen Amadu’s boys are a different team at home. They dominate their opponents, create a lot of chances and are fearless. Prosper Narteh Ogum delivered a long monologue this week in a press conference telling the whole nation about how political some of his players are. The pressure is on Asante Kotoko especially their coach to turn things around after losing back-to-back. The fans booed the team signalling their displeasure on the abysmal performances. Time for the players to prove the coach and the fans wrong.
Nsenkyire Park can add salt to Kotoko’s injury as Samartex feel 100 times better when playing at home compared to away games.
Samartex vs Kotoko
Time: 3 pm, Saturday
Venue: Nsenkyire Sports Arena
3. Bono and Ahafo reunited
Bono Ahafo region was among the 10 regions in Ghana until it was split into two; Bono Region and Ahafo Region. On the Ahafo side, Bechem United hosts the Bono side, Tano Bofoakwa. Bechem United are unbeaten in the last five games, having won two and drawn three after a turbulent start to the season. Their home form has been great with two back-to-back wins against Berekum Chelsea and Oly Dade. Bofoakwa Tano is 4th heading into Week 10 of the betPawa Premier with Frimpong Manso being very optimistic that his side will retain their Premier League status next season. Dauda Saaka is Bofoakwa Tano’s main man and when he gets his day, he can hurt any opponent.
Bechem United vs Tano Bofoakwa
Time: 3 pm, Sunday
Venue: Nana Gyeabour’s Park
4. Annor Walker’s return has been paid off
Oly Dade, Oly Kalipo, Oly Konsonkonso. Olympics are grinding results having beaten in-form Nsoatreman on Monday. The Accra-based club is third on the league log with just three points between the table toppers, Aduana Stars and them.
Annor Walker’s return has paid off thus far. Dreams FC needs results to build its momentum ahead of the CAF Confederations Cup. Can Dreams FC’s brilliant win in Kumasi start something special for them?
Dream vs Olympics
Time: 3 pm Sunday
Venue: Theater of Dreams, Dawu
5. Martin Koopman is under pressure once again
It is rumoured that Bashir Hayford will likely replace Martin Koopman if the results don’t change. Hearts of Oak at the Hohoe Park against lowly Heart of Lions was shambolic. Their attack is still not up to the level required. Many expected the Phobians to beat Heart of Lions in the crucial outstanding game in the mid-week but still couldn’t find the back of the net. With just six goals scored in 9 games for Hearts of Oak, the pressure is still mounting on Martin Koopman.
Hearts of Oak vs Legon Cities
Time: 3 pm, Sunday
Venue: Accra Sports Stadium
6. Two newly promoted sides battle at the Dr Kwame Kyei’s Sports Complex
Nations FC have been unstoppable at home. 4-0 was the result in their last home game against RTU. Two newly promoted sides play their first-ever match at the top tier of Ghanaian football. Heart of Lions are still in search of their first win of the season and there is no better time than to play against their fellow newly promoted side. The game can later be a relegation 6-pointer.
Nations FC vs Heart of Lions
Time : 3 pm, Sunday
Venue: Dr Kwame Kyei’s Sports Complex
7. Jonathan Sowah and Fatawu Abdu Hamidu must continue to justify their Black Stars inclusion
Chris Houghton’s continued trust in the Medeama duo of Jonathan Sowah and Fatawu Hamidu is not a fluke. These two players are among the best in the betPawa Premier League and must continue on Sunday against Berekum Chelsea to prove to everybody that they indeed deserve the slots in the Black Stars. Berekum Chelsea surprisingly won 2-0 against Dreams in their last away game having lost the three away games they have played so far. Can they cause another shock?
Medeama vs Berwkum Chelsea
Time: 3 pm, Sunday
Venue: TNA Park
8. Will wounded Nsoatreman bounced to winning ways?
Maxwell Konadu’ Nsoatreman has topped the table on three different weeks ending. They are now second having lost their last two games albeit all away from home. On Sunday, they will have the chance to bounce back to winning ways against the 12th-placed side RTU, who have conceded 17 goals. RTU has a poor defence and they play against a team that has won all games at home this season. They have scored six goals and conceded none at home. Nsoatreman likely will bounce back to winning ways.
Nsoatreman vs RTU
Time: 3 pm
Venue: Nana Kronmansah Park
9. Will Aduana make it 5 straight wins?
Some of the ways to win a league title in Ghana is winning 5,6, or 7 games consecutively. Again, away wins are crucial if you want to be crown champions. Aduana Stars so far are passing those tests with flying colours. The Ogya Boys have won their last 4 games with 2 at home and 2 away. This is how champions are made. Yaw Acheampong and Isaac Mintah were nominated for NASCO coach and player of the month respectively. This is a clear opportunity for them to brighten their chances of winning the awards. Micheal Osei’s Bibiani Gold Stars are struggling and must play above their usual standard to ensure even a point.
Aduana Stars vs Bibiani Gold Stars
Time: 3 pm, Sunday
Venue: Nana Agyeman Badu Stadium
10. Will we finally see the first hat trick of the season?
Hattricks are the pinnacle for every goalscorer. In the 81 games played so far, no player has scored a hat trick. 14 braces of goals have been scored but not a single player has been able to find the back of the net 3 times in a single game. Maybe one will get a hat trick this weekend.
