League leaders, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, could wrap up their 23rd league trophy this afternoon if they avoid defeat away to regional neighbours New Edubiase United at the Gyamfi Park at Bekwai as the First Capital Premier League resumes after almost a month’s break.
Kotoko’s once healthy lead has been put to severe test after they became complacent and suffered losses to King Faisal, Liberty Professionals, Heart of Lions, Inter Allies and Wa All Stars to eventually delay their expected coronation.
A late resurgence by Kpando Heart of Lions, who trail the defending champions by seven points, has increased the pressure on Coach Mas-ud Dramani and his charges, who need just a point to wrap up a successful title defence.
With three games to go, Kotoko aim to ward off other title hopefuls, hence the pressure to avoid a loss at Bekwai and finally deliver the league trophy to their fans.
Such high expectation is not lost on Coach Dramani, who is expected to fall on players such as Michael Akuffo, Seidu Bancey, Jordan Opoku and Kwabena Adusei, to connect very well with their colleagues to deliver the trophy.
While Kotoko battle it out at the Gyamfi Park, third-placed Accra Hearts of Oak also aim to avoid a slip against Inter Allies as that could push the Phobians further down. With the Giants of the West, Sekondi Hasaacas, closely on Hearts’ heels, Coach Mohammed Polo and his players cannot afford costly mistakes this time, particularly as they enjoy home advantage at the Accra Stadium.
Similarly, matches between 13th-placed Aduana Stars against fifth-placed Hasaacas, and the Amidaus Professionals-Lions clash promise fireworks considering the fact that both Lions and Hasaacas have their eyes on finishing in the top four.
While the battle for top four rages on at the Accra and Tema Stadia, as well as the Nana Agyeman Badu park at Dormaa-Ahenkro, much attention would also be on the relegation dogfight where about nine clubs, including Medeama, Berekum Chelsea and New Edubiase could say good bye to the elite division if results fail to go their way in the last three matches.
These relegation-threatened clubs took advantage of the break to prepare well for the competition’s resumption and, therefore, are expected to step up their game in the homestretch.
Medeama, who recently lost the last of their three outstanding matches against Lions, come face to face with Chelsea at the T&A Park at Tarkwa in what looks like a match of equals.
Both teams are in the middle rungs of the ladder and tied on 36 points each, but cannot afford a slip as it could push them back into the relegation zone
Alhaji Gruzah’s King Faisal also travel to the nation’s capital to face 12th-placed Liberty professionals at the Carl Reindorf Park at Dansoman in a must-win affair for the home side, who seek to work their way out of relegation troubles.
All Stars and Ashantigold, who have a point separating them, could share the spoils at the Wa Park, while the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast could be a waterloo for visiting Bechem United, particularly as bottom-of-the-table Ebusua Dwarfs need a victory at all cost to continue their desperate fight against relegation.
