The second round of the Women’s Premier League returns this weekend after a month-long break. In the Northern Zone, leaders Ampem Darkoa Ladies who ended the first round of the campaign without defeat will be at home against Kumasi Academy. There are other exciting fixtures to look ahead to, here is what to expect this weekend.
Northern Ladies vs Ashtown Ladies
Northern Ladies opened the season with a 3-1 win against Ashtown Ladies on match day one but their season has seen less progress due to unavailability of some key players including poster girl, Mukarama Abdulai who netted all 3 goals in that encounter. They managed 2 wins, 2 losses and 3 draws in the first round and finished in 5th place with 9 points in the league table. Ashtown ladies experienced a topsy-turvy first round, lost their first two games until Comfort Baah Nuako saved their blushes on match day three. Another highlight was sharing the spoils with Pearl Pia Ladies at the Utrecht Park in Tamale, again Comfort Baah Nuako came to the party again in the 67th minute. The team registered two wins, 1 draw and 4 defeats and amassed 7 points, to finish 6th in the table. Defensively, the two teams have issues to deal with after leaking 10 and 12 goals respectively in the first round. Northern Ladies have a strong home record and head into the game as favourites. We expect a keenly contested encounter at the Aliu Mahama stadium.
Fabulous Ladies vs Pearl Pia Ladies
Fabulous Ladies had to bounce back from successive defeats to record an impressive victory over Prisons Ladies in their last outing on match day 7. Their campaign had been blighted by injuries in the entire season thus far, having a toll on the progress in the League log. That notwithstanding, goalkeeper Nana Ofori Amanfo was arguably one of the top performers in the League, saving two penalties when her side clashed with Kumasi Sports Academy in the first round. Coach Nana Atuahene hinted on revamping the squad during the break with some fresh limps to savage the dwindling fortunes of his side. Pearl Pia Ladies, who limped in the early part of the campaign, ended the first round in 7th place with 6 points. The two drew 1-1 when they last met at the Utrecht Park in Tamale.
Supreme Ladies vs Prisons Ladies
Supreme Ladies have picked up some impressive results in the League, including a win against Prisons Ladies at the Sunyani Coronation Park on match Day 1. This result obviously defined their campaign in the first round, as they ended with 9 points and finished 4th in the table. Sandra Owusu Ansah started the season on a sloppy note but managed to end the first round as joint top scorer with Ophelia Serwaa Amponsah of Ampem Darkoa Ladies with 6 goals. Prisons Ladies needed to work hard after dropping valuable points in the opening stagers of the campaign. The team placed 3rd on the zonal table with 10 points before the break. Juliet Acheampong and Abigail Tutuwaa headline this encounter for the away side while Sarah Kulible and Sandra Owusu Ansah look to hold the fort for the home side.
Ampem Darkoa Ladies vs Kumasi Sports Academy
High-flying Ampem Darkoa Ladies will aim to build on their impressive as they welcome Kumasi Sports Academy to the Ohene Ameyaw Park. The League leaders finished the first round with 19 points and scored 14 goals in 7 matches. They have a tough test against the best away performers’ in the League. Their opponents, Kumasi Sports Academy won all three away fixtures against Pearl Pia Ladies, Northern Ladies and Supreme Ladies in the first round and finished in 2nd position with 13 points. Coach Anokye Frimpong is confident of pulling a surprise in Techiman even though it looks very daunting. Justice Ama Tweneboaa is expected to be a corner stone in the heart of Ampem Darkoa’s defence, Patience Peterson Kundok in midfield while Ophelia Serwaa Amponsah and Tracy Twum lead the attack. Naomi Anima will lead her cohorts with Kerrie McCarthy guiding the post while Favor Fosua Anane goes in search of her 4th goal of the season. The ‘Nanamma’ aim to end Kumasi Sports Academy Ladies’ unbeaten away run which stretches back to the first round as the visitors also look to protect that enviable feat.
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