The betpawa Premier League enters Matchday 8 this week with some enticing fixtures across all venues.
Sportsworldghana.com brings you some 9 interesting things to look out for.
1. Troubled Hearts of Oak host Medeama SC
21st May 2023, Week 31 of 2022/2023 betPawa Premier League, Meadeama thrashed Hearts of Oak by 5-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium en route to clinching their first-ever Ghana Premier League title.
Hearts of Oak has since that embarrassing day won just 1 league match in 9, drawn 4 and lost 4. The club is in trouble as their place in the relegation zone (16) suggests. Only 2 goals have been scored in 6 matches and 3 conceded. Martin Koopman and Skipper Nurudeen Aziz have a huge task at hand. Medeama on the other hand have climbed the league log to 7th position and are now 3 points behind the leaders Nsoatreman. Will Jonathan Sowah punish the Phobians as he did in their 5-1 demolishing exercise last season?
Hearts of Oak vs Medeama
Time: 3:00 pm
Venue: Accra Sports Stadium
2. Aduana can end Bofoakwa’s 11-game unbeaten streak in the Bono Derby
The draw masters are gradually falling down the league table as a result of 4 consecutive draws. The first-ever Premier League fixture between the two Bono clubs will be played at the Nana Agyeman Badu Stadium in Dormaa Ahenkro. Aduana Stars have won all 3 home games this season which is bad news for Bofoakwa because Ogya is feeling very comfortable at home now.
Frimpong Manso and his lads have already punched above their weight so far as Bofoakwa and Nsoatreman have the best defence in the league with 2 goals conceded. 3 goalless draws in all their away games which is incredible for them but this will be a huge test as they haven’t faced any team that is more dangerous at home than Aduana.
Can Ogya Boys stop Tano Bofoakwa?
Hearts of Oak vs Tano Bofoakwa
Time: 3:00 pm
Venue: Nana Agyeman Badu I Stadium
3. Maxwell Konadu faces his beloved Asante Kotoko
The formal Asante Kotoko forward has made Nsoatreman do the unthinkable. They are on top of the table with a game in hand. They have conceded just 2 goals and looking like top-four contenders although it is too early.
Make no mistake, Nsoatreman is extremely dangerous at home. Nana Kronmansah Park is like a den, you need to be brave like Daniel before you will survive.
Prosper Narteh Ogum’s indifferent start to the season has got some of the Kotoko faithful criticizing their performance. It is a tricky fixture and whoever wins will boost the morale of the team.
Nsoatreman vs Asante Kotoko
Time: 3:00 pm
Venue: Nana Kronmansah Park
4. Which lion will ROARRRR..?
The two Lions of betPawa Premier League will lock horns at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday afternoon. A single win has been recorded between the two in a combined 14 games so far, they both need to pick up wins as soon as possible.
Accra Lions topped the table after Week 2 when they defeated Legon Cities by 1-0. Ibrahim Tanko has suffered 3 defeats and 2 draws in their last 5 games.
Heart of Lions are the drawn masters. 6 consecutive games without a win or defeat is quite shocking.
This is a game that one lion must roar.
5. Bechem United are finding their rhythm.
Weeks 1 and 3 saw Bechem United finish 17th in the league table. After the end of Week 2, Benchem United finished 13th.
Weeks 4 and 5 saw Bechem United finish 18th in the league table. The 13th position has been their best place this season after 2 consecutive 3rd-place finishes in the last 2 seasons.
The Hunters have 8 points in 7 games. Emmanuel Avornyor, Augustine Okrah, Clinton Duodu and Cephas Mantey are the attackers available to Bismark Kobi Mensah. Bechem United will always be a threat as they demonstrated in their 1-1 draw vs Kotoko in Kumasi in MD7.
They have won every home game against Accra Great Olympics since 2015.
Will the hunters feast once again against Oly Dade?
Bechem United vs Accra Great Olympics
Time: 3:00 pm
Venue: Nana Gyeabour’s Park
6. Will Samartex continue their hot home form
Samartex always down their tools when playing away from Nsenkyire Sports Arena. Their strength, power and motivation lie at home. The game on Wednesday against Legon Cities will be their 21st home game since they got a promotion last season. They have lost only to Asante Kotoko and Bibiani Gold Stars in their 20 home games.
Giants like Hearts of Oak, Aduana Stars, Bechem United and RTU have been slaughtered. They have accrued 44 points out of the total 60.
Legon Cities are bad travellers and must up their game away from home to get a real chance of finishing higher up the table.
Samartex vs Legon Cities
Time: 3:00 pm
Venue: Nsenkyire Sports Arena
7. Dreams need good performances ahead of the CAF Confederation Cup
Abdul Karim Zito’s Dreams have been very strong since securing a place in the money zone of the 2023/2024 CAF Confederations Cup. They have beaten. Medeama and it’s their only win in 5 games since securing a crucial draw in Sierra Leone against Kallon.
31-year-old forward John Antwi who has immense experience is expected to drive Dreams forward. Good performances are needed to boost their confidence ahead of the Confederations Cup and it must start against Berekum Chelsea.
The signs are clear that Berekum Chelsea will struggle this season. They remain a toothless side away from home and might need inspiration from Christopher Enning.
Dreams vs Berekum Chelsea
Time: 3:00 pm
Venue: Theatre of Dreams
8, Nations FC must take advantage of their home
3 home games have been played at Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex. 1 win and 2 draws, with the last home game against Asante Kotoko generating huge controversies. Newly promoted teams’ chances of surviving are at home hence Nation FC must start picking up wins at home. RTU and Heart of Lions are the next two home games for Nations with a game at the Sunyani Coronation Park sandwiched between.
RTU have been very inconsistent and might also fancy their chances of picking up the three maximum points.
Nations vs RTU
Time: 3:00 pm
Venue: Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex
9. Seven is the magic number for Karela
After seven games, Karela has 7 points, has scored 7 goals, and has conceded 7 goals. Where will they get the inspiration from? The CAM Stadium in Anyinase has been a fearful ground for any opponent.
Shaibu Tanko is unbeaten at home and will rely heavily on home points to deliver. With 2 defeats, 1 win and 4 draws, Proud and Passion must turn the draws into wins.
Bibiani Gold Stars are hot at Dun’s Park and cold when playing away from home. Micheal Osei has lost his 2 visits to Karela as Bibiani Gold Stars manager and will be eager to prove a point.
Karela vs Bibiani Gold Stars
Time: 3:00 pm
Venue: CAM Stadium
