6 things we learned during GPL Week 31
1. Accra Hearts of Oak in a relegation fight
Frankly, the Accra-based club is in real trouble. They sit in 14th position, just two places outside the relegation zone. Out of the total 93 points available, the Phobians have just 38. Accra Hearts of Oak has scored only 30 goals and conceded 29.
The most interesting thing about the league table is that Heart of Lions is ahead of Accra Hearts of Oak. Yes. Heart of Lions that words couldn’t describe their struggle. Aboubakar Ouattara’s side has won just two and lost seven out of their last 9 GPL games.
On Sunday at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi in the Super clash, Ugandan forward Stephen Mukwala scored twice to put Accra Hearts of Oak in a precarious situation. In their last three games, Phobia will host Nations FC, battle their perennial rivals Accra Great Olympics who is also fighting their own relegation fears and travel to Bechem United. Everything is pointing to Accra Hearts of Oak facing relegation if they don’t step up.
2. Ebenezer Abban’s brace eases Heart of Lions’ relegation fears
Heart of Lions slaughtered the soon-to-be Champions in Kpando. Ebenezer Abban’s brace condemned Samartex to a 2-0 defeat to get themselves out of the relegation talk for the week. Bashir Hayford has worked magic, especially at Kpando as his side has won their last 4 home games.
Heart of Lions will likely avoid relegation per the momentum they have gathered. Long wil they wish it will continue.
3. Aduana Stars still holding on to their slim hope
Aduana Stars are six points behind Samartex with just three games to end the season. They trail the Timber giants by 6 good points with a trip to Bechem on matchday 32. In the second and third-place match on Saturday, Aduana Stars defeated Nations FC 1-0 and leapfrogged the Abrankese side to 2nd place.
Yaw Acheampong’s Ogya Boys’ chances of winning the GPL are not even more than 5%. Samartex remains the team with a 95% chance of winning the league albeit Aduana Stars are hopeful they can do something.
4. Medeama’s sanguine and Bofoakwa’s melancholy
Medeama won 2-0 in Sunyani to derail Bofoakwa’s plans to survive. They are just two points above the bottom place Real Tamale United after playing a game more than them. Medeama have done well after starting the season poorly due to the CAF Champions League commitments.
John Eduafo’s Tano Bofoakwa have a huge task at hand.
They will need to win all of their last three games to stand a greater chance of surviving. Andrew Appau’s own goal and Bernardinho Tetteh’s goal were enough for the defending champions to close the gap on top to just six. The Yellow and Mauve are third because of goals superior difference between them and Aduana Stars.
5. Stephen Amankonah’s form is so sensational
What a season it is for Stephen Amankonah. The 24-year-old was probably born to deliver for Berekum Chelsea. He struggled for Asante Kotoko after sealing a dream move from his beloved Chelsea. Amankonah returned home and he’s now on top of his game.
Berekum Chelsea lost 3-2 to Accra Great Olympics but Stephen Amankonah scored twice to increase his tally to 15 for the season. The forward is the best Ghanaian attacker in the Ghana Premier League and he continues to prove it. Stephen Amankonah has scored 7 goals in his last 7 games for Chelsea.
6. Asante Kotoko’s win over Hearts of Oak appeases the fans
Stephen Mukwala’s brace earned Asante Kotoko a 2-0 win over their rivals Accra Hearts of Oak on Sunday. Asante Kotoko’s fans’ were super excited because a victory over Accra Hearts of Oak ought to be celebrated always.
The struggle has been real for the two giants of Ghanaian football throughout the season but Asante Kotoko’s has been better than their rivals, especially with the double over them. The Porcupine Warriors’ fans did all that they could to sink their rivals and they expertly did so.
The win has appeased Asante Kotoko fans and it has damaged Accra Hearts of Oak as they are in a relegation fight, undoubtedly.
