Defending champions Kumasi Asante Kotoko are hoping to be third time lucky as the 2013/2014 Premier League season kicks-off on Sunday after raising high expectations with a 3-0 emphatic victory over Medeama to lift the Super Cup (Champion of champions) in Kumasi last Sunday.
The Porcupine Warriors lost goal poacher Kofi Nti Boakye to Al Ahly Tripoli in the off-season, but Coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani who was given a lifeline by the new management still believes Kotoko can retain the title with the inclusion of back-to-batan Yahaya Mohammed, Stephen Oduro, New Edubiase United’s rugged defender Abeiku Ainooson, and Heart of Lions’ goalkeeper Joseph Addo, among others.
Kotoko, however, start the season with a tricky home game on neutral grounds following an existing ban against one of the emerging forces of Ghana Soccer, Aduana Stars, who have the potential to cause an upset.
Hearts: Coach David Duncan will be under serious scrutiny this time around as he starts his first full season with Accra Hearts of Oak who will also be without their talisman, Mahatma Osumanu Otoo, who landed a deal with Norwegian side Sogndal after crowning an outstanding season with the goal king title.
Duncan storms Bekwai on Sunday as guest of New Edubiase with a squad strengthened with Amidaus Professionals’ duo of striker Selasi Adjei and midfielder Emmanuel Hayford, striker Kenneth Okoro, and Lions defender Kweku Andoh who will combine with the likes of Owusu Bempah, Winful Cobbinah, Gilbert Fiamenyo and others to ensure a promising start.
The Phobians need the league trophy badly after finishing the past two seasons empty-handed and this season provides student of the game Duncan another challenge to lift his first major silverware.
Dwarfs: Ebusua Dwarfs, with tactician Prof Mintah still in the saddle, look good to continue with their consistent form, having their squad intact with players such as Stephen Aidoo, Kwame Frimpong, and John Arthur still at post, except goalkeeper Foli Adade who has joined Medeama.
The ‘Abontua Abontua’ boys will seek to draw inspiration from their impressive runs in the past two seasons to improve upon their fourth position last season as they open the season with a dicey home encounter against debutantes Inter Allies at the Robert Mensah Stadium.
Medeama: This well-endowed yet disappointing Tarkwa side, which had to console their fans with the MTN FA Cup after surrendering the league title to Kotoko late last season, will be under pressure to win back the confidence of their followers with maximum home points against Sekondi Hasaacas at the T&A Park.
As usual, Medeama, who are hoping to make an impact in their CAF Confederation Cup debut next year, have made some high profile signings, including agile Foli Adade, Hearts’ James Abban, Malik Akowuah of Ashantigold fame and Liberty Professionals’ Kwame Boahene to give Coach Hans van der Pluijm many options to impress his new employers with.
Aduana Stars: Stubborn as they can be, are one of the strong outsiders to win the title this season after resisting tempting offers to trade off key players such as Godfred Saka and goalkeeper Stephen Adams who will combine with Skipper Samuel Asiedu, Emmanuel Allan, among others, to strengthen their case for a second league title this season.
The Dormaa-Ahenkro challenge will be spearheaded by veteran coach J.E. Sarpong and his assistant Samuel Quaye, who is a known expert in scouting.
Ashantigold: After failing to play their traditional second fiddle role last season, Coach Bashir Hayford who was signed midway through the past season will be expected to do better as he starts the new season with a squad he prepared himself from the scratch spearheaded by young promising striker, Shafiu Mumuni, and new skipper Louis Agyemang.
How the Miners will fare will largely depend on how quickly they recover from the absence of trusted striker Yakubu Mohammed and safest pair of hands, Fatau Dauda, both of whom ply their trade in South Africa now.
New Edubiase United, Wa All Stars, and Liberty Professionals might not perform any better than their usual mid-table stuff this season, which is why the Accra Stadium clash between Liberty and All Stars is too close to call.
Edubiase have again entrusted their destiny in the hands of Coach Anthony Commey, who will be assisted this time by former Hearts instructor, W.O. Tandoh. They have also added Awudu Nafiu of Chelsea and old horse Bernard Dong Bortey to their stable in a frantic bid to better their lot.
Heart of Lions: players of Heart of Lions will have to work extra hard to keep their jobs at the end of the season and convince Victor Ahiakpor to drop the idea of selling the club as it nearly happened recently.
The three promoted clubs – Hasaacas, Bechem United and Inter Allies – will have a tall order coping with the pace of the elite division in spite of their determination to stay afloat.
Apart from Willie Klutse’s Inter Allies who will be tasting the top flight league for the first time, Hasaacas and Bechem United will hope to rely on past experience when the going gets tough. Only time will tell whether the three can survive the rigours of the premiership or will throw in the towel even before the competition reaches the homestretch just like RTU did last season.
Bechem United will fight for their first home win against visiting Amidaus at Bechem.
Preview: Samuel Ebo Kwaitoo/Graphic Sports/Ghana
