GhanaFA

Match-by-Match Preview of Matchday-28 of Ghana Premier League

7 months ago
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Nations FC vs Bibiani GoldStars FC: 15:00GMT, Kumasi 

Second-placed Nations FC will be desperate to return to winning ways when they entertain GoldStars FC at home on Saturday April 26. 2024.

Kasim Mingle's side are without a win in three matches and will be eager to end their streak of poor results at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex.

Nations are aware another setback will derail their push for the Ghana Premier League title as they trail leaders FC Samartex 1996 by five points.

GoldStars FC are fresh from their solitary 1-0 win over Aduana Stars as they make the trip to Kumasi on Saturday.

Nations FC, who are newly-promoted, have accumulated 44 points from 27 matches and sit pretty second on the league table, having won twice, drawn once and suffered two defeats in their last matches.

Nations FC are the third best ranked team at home this campaign with an unbeaten record, scoring 26 and conceding 9 goals.

Gold Stars FC are 9th on the table with 38 points, having won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1 in their last 5 outings.

The Miners have accumulated 8 points away from home,  scoring 6 and shipping in a whopping 18 goals. They are the 5th ranked club with the least number of points secured away from home in 13 matches.

Nations FC are yet to host Gold Stars FC at home in the league since gaining promotion into the top-flight in the 2023/24 season.

The Kumasi Based side can rely on key players like, Barimah Baah, Prince Acquah, Michael Awuah, Prince Badu, Emmanuel Boahene, Richard Danso, Bismarck Oppong, Razak Simpson, Nafiu Sulemana, Nuamah Blankson, Isaac Asare and Kwaku Duah all fit to face the Miners on Saturday.

GoldStars FC talisman Prince Kwabena Owusu will be eager to get his name on the score sheet to extend his 9-goal tally.

Other key players like Alex Aso who has also netted 7 goals for the Miners will be available as well as Frank Amankwah, Gideon Anaba, Vincent Atingah, Eric Bosomtwi, William Dankyi, Ronald Frimpong, Charles Gyamfi, Adraman Yahaya and Emmanuel Appau.

Bechem United vs Heart of Lions: 15:00 GMT, Bechem 

Heart of Lions' resolve to avoid relegation will be put to a stern test when they travel to Bechem United on Saturday.

Lions emerged from their blocks to deliver a 3-0 hammering of second-placed Nations FC in their last encounter at home.

The Kpando-based side will aim to do the unthinkable when they play as guest of United at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park.

Lions are deeply involved in the relegation dog-fight and will need a big performance to leave Bechem with a positive result.

Bechem United are smarting from their 1-1 draw at Bofoakwa Tano in the Bono derby and are overwhelming favourites to secure maximum points.

United are unbeaten in their last 5 league games and will seek to extend that run against Lions at home. They are 7th on the table with 39 points.

The Hunters have managed to accumulate 27 points at home, scoring 19 and conceding 7. They are ranked as the 7th best home side in the league so far. Bechem United are unbeaten in their last 4 consecutive home matches.

Hearts of Lions are the second club with the least number of points accumulated away from home (4) after 4 draws and 9 defeats, scoring 6 and conceding 17. The Kpando lads have accumulated 28 points from 27 matches, having won 2, drawn 1 and suffered 2 defeats in their last 5 outings.

Bechem United are yet to host Heart of Lions at home since returning to the top-flight in the 2023/24 season.

Bechem United can rely on quality players like Cephas Mantey, Emmanuel Ababio, Emmanuel Abban, Emmanuel Annor, Francis Acquah, David Asabere, Clinton Duodu, Joseph Kinful, Isaiah Nyarko, Gabriel Tenlep and Samuel Kufour for the match.

Heart of Lions skipper Ebenezer Abban who has featured in 26 matches for the visitors this season will be available for the clash.

Ishmael Addo, Bismarck Aim, Christian Boateng, Yaw Danso, Ruben Hennessey, Mohaison Mahmoud, Kwesi Pong, Emmanuel Sakyi, Mustapha Yakubu and Akwasi  Duah all fit for selection.

Aduana Stars vs Karela United: 15:00 GMT, Dormaa Ahenkro

Aduana FC entertain relegation-threatened Karela United at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park in Dormaa on Saturday.

The Fire Club are back at home after their 1-0 defeat at Bibiani GoldStars FC last weekend.

Aduana are 3rd on the league table with 42 points after 27 matches, having recorded 2 wins and 3 defeats in their last five matches.

They are the second best ranked club in the league this season with the most points accumulated at home. They’ve won 12, lost 2, scored 27 and conceded 9 goals.

Karela United have recorded 1 win, 1 draw and suffered 3 defeats in their last five Premier League games.  The Tamale based club sit 16th  place on the table after 27 appearances in this campaign. United is the 3rd lowest ranked team with the lowest away win, having managed to accumulate 6 points,  scoring 10 and conceding 23 in the process.

Aduana FC have played Karela United three times at home since 2020/21 season with Aduana FC winning two and losing one. In the 2020/21 season, Aduana FC beat Karela United 2-1, won 2-0 in the 2021/22 season before recording a goalless draw in the 2022/23 season.

Aduana FC have a number quality stars heading into the match on Sunday. Emmanuel Gyamfi, Rich Sackey, Sam Adams, Richard Afriyie, Raymond Agyemang, Alex Boakye, Frank Owusu, Iddrisu Shaibu, Kyeremeh Silas, Richard Mahama, Kelvin Obeng and Bright Adjei are all available for selection.

The likes of Giyasu Ibrahim, Mohammed Asigre, Mohammed Awal, Solomon Aboagye, Rashid Alhassan, Hafiz Abdulai, Emmanuel Anaful, Jibril Nurudeen, Mohammed Fatawu, Abdul Raman-Yaya, Basit Abdul and Umar Faruk will have to step up for Karela United.

Medeama SC vs Asante Kotoko -15:00 GMT, Star Times Adepa Channel 247, Tarkwa 

Medeama welcome Asante Kotoko to Tarkwa in a tantalising Ghana Premier League match on Saturday.

The defending champions are in need of an emergency oxygen following an unflattering defence of the Premier League title which appears to be slipping away.

They suffered a 2-0 defeat at Berekum Chelsea on Monday as the Blues completed the double over them this season.

They produced a fine performance at the Golden City park but a woeful showing in the final third undermined their good work.

A change of coach has not sparked the kind of magic wand expected as they continue to huff and puff since the appointment of Bosnian Nebjosa Kapor.

The champions have been far from convincing since their exit from the CAF Champions League to signal a withdrawal syndrome that appears to have hit the club.

The Mauve and Yellow lie 8th on the league table with 39 points, just three above Kotoko and trailing leaders FC Samartex 1996 by 10 points.

Asante Kotoko were far from spectacular despite their solitary 1-0 win over FC Samartex 1996 last time out and will need to engineer a big performance to record back-to-back win in Tarkwa.

The Porcupine Warriors have chalked some decent successes in Tarkwa including their 1-0 win last season.

However, it's been a tumultuous campaign for the record Ghana Premier League holders this season as they lie 10th on the league table.

Kotoko had gone seven matches without a win until last Sunday's hard-fought 1-0 win over FC Samartex at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

Medeama have won 2 and suffered 3 defeats in their last five matches.

They have managed to accumulate 30 points at home in this campaign, scoring 13 and conceding 3.  They are the 6th best performers at home. Medeama SC are unbeaten in their last 5 home games and have conceded the least number of goals at home (3).

Asante Kotoko have recorded 1 draw, 1 win and suffered 3 defeats in their last 5 league games.  Asante Kotoko have accumulated 15 points away from home, scoring 13 and conceding 15. They are the second best away performers in the Ghanaian top-flight this season.

However, they are winless in their last 6 away games.

Medeama SC have played Asante Kotoko three times at home in the league since 2020/21 season with Medeama SC drawing 1 and losing 2.

In the 2020/21 season,  Medeama SC drew 1-1 with Asante Kotoko, lost 0-2 in the 2021/22 campaign  before recording a 0-1 defeat in the 2022/23 season.

The Mauve and Yellow can rely on Kamaradini Mamudu, Kofi Asmah, Kobina Amoah, Godknows Dzakpasu, Derrick Fordjour, Manuel Mantey, Daouda Sidibe, Fatawu Sulemana, Bernardinho Tetteh, Joshua Agyemang, Emmanuel Cudjoe and Diawisie Taylor.

Stephen Mukwala Desse is expected to start the game on Saturday for the Porcupine Warriors with the likes of Peter Acquah, Henry Ansu, Yahaya Baba, Nicholas Bonsu, Emmanuel Kotei, Enock Morrison, Andrews Ntim, Yusif Nurudeen, Kalo Ouattara, Serge Zeze and Shadrack Addo all fit for the game.

FC Samartex 1996 vs Accra Great Olympics - 15: 00 GMT, Samreboi

FC Samartex will hope to keep firm grip at the top of the table when they host Accra Great Olympics on Saturday.

The league leaders, who seems to be in cruise control, are still five points above second-placed Nations FC with seven matches to end the season.

The Timber giants lost 1-0 at Asante Kotoko but maintained their lead at the top after both Nations FC and Aduana Stars slipped on the road.

The current leaders have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1 in their last 5 league games.  The Samreboi based side have won their last 4 consecutive home games and are the second highest scoring side in the league.

Great Olympics have won 1, drawn 2 and lost 2 in their last 5 league games. The Dade Boys currently sit 13th position in the league table with 33 points from 27 matches.

Great Olympics have accumulated 9 points away from home, scoring 5 and conceding 15, the 7th lowest in the league. The Accra based are winless in their last 4 away games.

FC Samartex 1996 have played Great Olympics once in the league since joining the premiership in 2022/23 season as the game ended in a goalless draw.

FC Samartex 1996 top scorer Evans Osei Wusu is expected to form a formidable attacking partnership with the likes of Baba Musah and Emmanuel Keyekeh. Other key players include, Ebenezer Acquah, Isaac Afful, Richmond Darko, Desmond Gyabeng, Emmanuel Mamah, James Sewornu, Dauda Yussif Seidu, Emmanuel Adu Siaw, Emmanuel Boakye Owusu and Francis Gyetuah are all available for selection.

Great Olympics boasts Emmanuel Akesseh, Albert Amoah, Gladson Awako, Richard Botchway, Raymond Grippman, Razak Kasim, Isaac Mensah, Christopher Nettey, Yusif Razak, Ebenezer Sekyere, Mathew Abayase and Michael Kweku Osei, who are all available for the game.