DOL clubs demand fair play in Sunday’s deciders
The fate of Tema Youth in respect of their Premier League qualification hangs in a balance as beating fellow contenders, Kotoku Royals, in their last Division One League Zone Three encounter at the Tema Stadium on Sunday might still not be enough.
This is because former premiership campaigners, Liberty Professionals, also have an equally good chance of qualifying in case they beat Susubiribi away at Akim Tafo on Sunday.
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That means the fortunes of Tema Youth largely depends on the outcome of the Tafo match, even if they are able to achieve their target of winning by a two or three goal margin against Kotoku Royals at home.
The Oda-based Kotoku Royals are on top of the Zone 3 table with 62 points, followed by Liberty Porfessionals with 61 points, while Tema Youth trail them in third place with 59 points.
The standings clearly indicate a fierce three-horse which could see either side breasting the tape in a dramatic fashion.
Fair play
The situation therefore calls for fair play, fair officiating and adequate security at the two hotspots to ensure the crowning of a credible candidate from Zone 3 to the elite division next season.
It will be recalled that the founder of Tema Youth, Wilfred Kweku Osei (Palmer) recently lamented over an instance where Tema Youth were denied the maximum points through biased officiating in their crucial league match against Liberty Professionals which they lost 1-2 at the Tema Stadium.
According to him, the request had became necessary to create a level playing field for both teams and ensure that a worthy champion would be produced from Zone 3 to the Premier League.
While suspecting a calculated attempt by some elements to prevent his club from qualifying to the premiership this time around, Palmer expressed his disgust about some biased officiating in the Zone 3 league.
Other zones
The situation in Zone One is no different, as Tamale City and Nsoatreman FC are neck and neck for qualification with 68 points apiece.
On Sunday, Tamale City who are on top of the table with superior goals will play host to relegation-bound Bolga All Stars at the Aliu Mahama Stadium in Tamale, while second-placed Nsoatreman welcome 11th-placed Unity FC in another regional derby at the Twumasi Sports Complex in Nsoatre.
In Zone Two, FC Samartex 1996 have already booked their premiership ticket with 63 points, nine points more than their closest assailants, Ebusua Dwarfs, who have 54 points to their credit ahead of the last round of matches on Sunday.