Fabio Gama- Kotoko

Ghana Premier League: Hearts of Oak, Asante Kotoko face tough tests

George Ernest Asare Football Jun - 23 - 2021 , 12:46

Table toppers, Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, will again attract the headlines with their tricky matchday 30 encounters today and tomorrow as the Ghana Premier League (GPL) reaches the homestretch.

Coincidentally, the two giants will battle their opponents in familiar territories, making them slight favourites to start with to set the stage for Sunday’s super clash between them at the Accra Stadium.

However, Kotoko, who are hard on the heels of their bitter rivals, Hearts, in the race for the league title, seem to have a tougher test against third-placed Karela United at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium, while Hearts engage rejuvenated Legon Cities in a local derby at the Accra Stadium tomorrow evening.

The Karela threat

Karela United are seven points adrift of second-placed Kotoko and are also considered to be a strong outsider of the title, hence could be a threat to the homesters this afternoon. This is especially so after suffering a painful 1-2 home defeat to their neighbours, Medeama, leading to their elimination from the MTN FA Cup last Sunday.

But after succumbing 1-3 to Kotoko for the first time at the Crosby Awuah Memorial (CAM) Park at Aiyinase in the first round, Karela, who defeated Legon Cities 2-0 at home last week are poised to match Kotoko boot for boot with the hope to avenge their first round defeat.

The match has generated so much excitement among the vociferous Kotoko fans in the Ashanti Region to the extent that they have hired buses to Obuasi to cheer on the players to ensure a crucial home win.

Dicey duels
After defeating Great Olympics 1-0 at the Nana Ameyaw park at Techiman last week, Alhaji Gruzah’s King Faisal will continue their fight against relegation when they trek to the Akoon Park to challenge fourth-placed Medeama SC who surrendered 0-2 to Hearts in Accra last week.

Medeama will be in high spirits this time to revive their title hopes and appease the home fans, following some recent setbacks which they protested against.

The encounter between Dreams FC and Eleven Wonders at the Theatre of Dreams at Dawu will also be full of fireworks just like that of the Berekum Chelsea and Elmina Sharks clash at the Golden City Park.

Great Olympics, who seem to be losing their grip on the title race, will seek to endear themselves to their fans once again by taming visiting Bechem United at the Accra Stadium today, while West African Football Academy (WAFA) have a tough home assignment against Aduana Stars at Sogakope.

Tomorrow’s matches