GPL Week 32: Five gripping things to watch out for
Here are five things to watch out for in GPL Week 32
GPL Week 32: Five gripping things to watch out for
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Issahaku will be a problem: Fatawu Issahaku is a talented player who has already made a name for himself in the junior national team and has been capped for the Black Stars.
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Prosper could be significant with Kotoko: Prosper Ogum, the head coach of Kotoko, has already shown tactical ingenuity and has established a good rapport with his players, which could be a dealmaker for the team this season.
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Hearts still have their mojo: Defending champions Hearts of Oak may have had a frustrating start to the season, but they still have the quality of play that propelled them to the title last season.
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Eric Antwi could be the difference for Legon Cities: Eric Antwi, the goalkeeper for Legon Cities, has already made a big impact with his impressive performance against Hearts of Oak.
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Newly promoted clubs could pose a challenge: All three promoted sides, RTU, Accra Lions, and Bibiani Gold Stars, have already shown that they are not to be underestimated, with impressive performances in their opening matches.
Other five things to expert
1. Accra Hearts of Oak simply needs to win against Nations FC
The moment you see Heart of Lions sitting in front of Accra Hearts of Oak on the league table, it is there that you will realise that Phobia is indeed in trouble. A fixture against Nations FC on Friday is make-or-break for the struggling Phobia. Hearts of Oak has lost four and won one in their last 5 GPL games.
They are just two points above the relegation zone and any result aside win on Friday will compound their troubles. Aboubakar Ouattara’s side has completely lost ideas about how to play football. They can’t mess up against Nations FC.
2. Samartex can win the title depending on results elsewhere on Sunday
League leaders Samartex SC will host Bibiani Gold Stars at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena in Samaraboi on Sunday. The Timber Giants are 6 points ahead of second-placed Aduana Stars who travel to Bechem United on Saturday. The Ogya Boys will play before Samartex and they must win in Bechem.
If they don’t and Samartex wins on Sunday against Bibiani Gold Stars, the Smaraboi-based club can be crowned as champions if Medeama too fails to beat Heart of Lions. Good days are ahead for Samartex but they have to beat Bibiani Gold Stars.
3. Stephen Amankonah is eyeing the Golden Boot
Relegation-threatened Real Tamale United will travel to Berekum to face the red-hot Stephen Amankonah who leads the top scorer chart with 15 goals, followed by Asante Kotoko’s Stephen Mukwala (14 goals) who scored twice in the Super Clash against Accra Hearts of Oak in Week 30.
Stephen Amankonah has been able to revive his career and it will not be surprising to see him score on Sunday, although he is facing a very decent side in Heart of Lions.
4. Accra Great Olympics visit Kumasi for a crucial game
One of the oldest fixtures in the Ghana Premier League will be played on Sunday when Asante Kotoko welcome the beleaguered Oly Dade. The Accra-based club sits in the relegation zone after a disastrous last two months which has seen them win just one game in their last seven.
Accra Great Olympics will need win a to remain in the league as their competitors have up their game recently. Oly Dade are bad travellers having drawn just one and lost five in the last 6 away games.
A fixture against the much more confident Porcupine Warriors at the moment can’t be a good thing for Oly Dade considering how they have struggled recently.
5. Bofoakwa Tano’s poor goalscoring ability will lead them to relegation
After playing 31 matches, Bofoakwa Tano has scored just 20 goals. They are one of the worst-performing teams in terms of goals scoring on the continent. They are surprisingly in the finals of the MTN FA Cup but have been so horrible in the league.
Bofoalwa just can’t hope to survive after scoring only 20 goals in an entire season. Dauda Daaka alone has scored 8 of the 20 goals with Emmanuel Agyenim scoring 3. This is so appalling from John Eduafo’s side and it is no wonder they are facing relegation.
A visit to Dawu against Legon Cities is probably their biggest test in the second round of the season because the Royals are so sensational at home. They have won 9 and drawn two of their last 11 home games. This is the task waiting for Tano Boafoakwa.