INTER ALLIES vs ASHGOLD
Bottom side Inter Allies, who continue to struggle to lift themselves from the drop zone, have a date with 11th placed Ashanti Gold. Their solitary win against WAFA in match day 15 has been their only win in their last 9 games – a form fit for relegation. Along the line, they have recorded 7 defeats, a draw and a win. Home advantage will be their hope as their opponents do not have too many memorable results in the capital this season. New midfielder, Emmanuel Tochukwu and freshly outdoored assistant manager, Felix Aboagye have been brought in to revive their ailing fortunes.
AshantiGold Football club have been less than impressive this season, by their own standards. At a point in the season, they were league leaders. That encouraging form has declined significantly, with notable shambolic performances in their games against Legon Cities and Dreams FC. Inter Allies presents a different and less daunting prospect for the miners. Their form in the last 5 games is the same as their opponents on Friday. A win, three defeats and a draw.
| MATCH INFO | |
| Venue | Accra Sports Stadium, Accra |
| Date and Time | Friday March 5, 2021 3:00 PM |
| Form | Inter Allies: LWDLL | AshGold: LWDLL |
| Position | 18th (11 pts) | 11th (21 pts) |
PREDICTION: 1-2
ELMINA SHARKS vs KUMASI ASANTE KOTOKO
Sharks are in disarray. The fearsome Elmina based team who had proven hard to beat not only this season but over the years have suddenly lost 3 games in a row. With no wins in their last 6 games, they sit bottom of the form table and to make matters worse, they have lost their unbeaten home record on which they were heavily reliant for points. This left them with no other option than to part ways with coach Yaw Acheampong. In his place, stop gap coach Nii Ordatey Lamptey has been appointed to turn their fortunes around while he is tasked to win his first game against arguably their stiffest opposition yet; Kumasi Asante Kotoko, who are yet to lose on the road. Sharks will have a bit of confidence going into this encounter as they beat their guests in this fixture in the truncated league.
Interim Asante Kotoko manager, Johnson Smith has been near immaculate with his team’s results since taking charge. Even with 2 games in hand and 6th on the table, his side remain the league’s best away team, team with the least number of defeats and the team with the least goals conceded underlining a title winning credentials. Now that the porcupine warriors are officially off African football duties this season, they will be heavily concentrated on winning the title. Latif Anabila who has been enormous in midfield with his displays will miss this game due to accumulation of cards. Salifu Mudasiru will step in, in hope of rediscovering his stellar form from last season.
This game will be highly contested and with all at stake. The away side will seek to maintain their unbeaten away record with another eye set on avenging last season’s defeat, while the home team will desperately try to cut short their 3-game losing streak or better still end their 6-game winless run.
| MATCH INFO | |
| Venue | Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom Sports Stadium, Elmina |
| Date and Time | Friday March 5, 2021, 6:00 PM |
| Form | Elmina Sharks: LLLDD | Kotoko: DWWDL |
| Position | 14th (17 pts) | 6th (24 pts) |
PREDICTION: 1-1
KIING FAISAL vs LIBERTY PROFESSIONALS
The ‘battle at the bottom’ features Kumasi-based King Faisal and Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals. King Faisal have not seen much improvement this season in terms of results, despite their promising attack and a goals tally of 17, better than six other teams in the league. Kwame Peprah has led the line brilliantly, which has unavoidably gotten him linked to moves away from the struggling club. His promise to be faithful to the gentlemen in green may not stand the test of time for too long if there is no collective resolve to turn things around. A win can push them out of the relegation zone for a while.
Liberty Professionals have not had a rosy time this season. They are regularly a mid-table team and not where they find themselves now. Being 16th on the table is not a desirable position as they commenced the season with the ambition of grasping a top 4 spot. New arrivals, Prosper Ahiabu, Brite Andoh and Evans Owusu were introduced at a go, signaling the intent of the technical team to rely on a new batch of players. Away to King Faisal will be more daunting than they would have wanted. That notwithstanding, they need to grind out the results at all cost.
| MATCH INFO | |
| Venue | Ohene Ameyaw Park, Techiman |
| Date and Time | Saturday March 6, 2021, 3:00 PM |
| Form | King Faisal: LDWLW | Liberty Pros: LLDWD |
| Position | 17th (14 pts) | 19th (15 pts) |
PREDICTION: 1-1
KARELA UNITED vs ADUANA STARS
The Crosby Awuah memorial park will play host to Karela and Aduana stars in game week 17. Karela was put to the sword at Sogakope by WAFA in game week 16, piling more pressure on them to maintain their position as league leaders. Their away results will have to improve if they are to go annex the title by the end of the season. The previous match between the two teams ended in a Karela win and with Aduana’s unimpressive away record this season, one cannot see the outcome of this match going otherwise.
Aduana will face a stiff opposition as they come up against Karela. The league leaders will be aiming to return to winning ways after their defeat to WAFA. Aduana’s away form does not favour them in this match up but with their talisman Mohammed Yahaya picking up form and chasing the top scorer award, the contest will be wild and open. The team that is most clinical will take the day.
| MATCH INFO | |
| Venue | Crosby Awuah Memorial Park, Anyinase |
| Date and Time | Saturday March 6, 2021, 3:00 PM |
| Form | Karela United: LWWLD | Aduana Stars: WLLWD |
| Position | 1st (28 pts) | 7th (24 pts) |
PREDICTION: 3-1
BEREKUM CHELSEA vs MEDEAMA SC
The unbeaten home run of Berekum Chelsea continues, as they host Medeama SC in this match week 17 fixture of the Ghana Premier league. The Blues are yet to succumb to a defeat against any side in the league at the Golden City Park. They have been decent in their last five matches coming from a string of disappointing results. They have 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss from their last five games. A win can send them 8th on the table and further send a strong message to all visiting teams that the Golden City Park is not an amusement park. Midfielder Ushau Abu and his colleagues are poised to stretch this unbeaten run further.
Medeama SC will be without Samuel Boadu after his departure to Accra Hearts of Oak. The team has been in some amazing form, winning 4 out of their last five matches, sending them 4th on the log with 26 points. A win can send them top of the table to remind followers of the league of their character to be crowned champions. New signing Ahmed Toure, who bagged a brace in his debut against Elmina Sharks in that match week 15 away fixture, will love to be in the news again with a good showing in this match.
Will Medeama SC be the first to break the unbeaten run of Berekum Chelsea or their unbeaten run continues?
| MATCH INFO | |
| Venue | Golden City Park, Berekum |
| Date and Time | Sunday March 7, 2021 3:00 PM |
| Form | Berekum Chelsea: LWWDW | Medeama SC: WWWLW |
| Position | 12th (20 pts) | 4th (26 pts) |
PREDICTION: 1-2
DREAMS FC vs GREAT OLYMPICS
The year 2021 has been an incredible one for the ‘believers’. 4 wins from their last 5 games and just a defeat in their last ten games sees them in a respectable 3rd position on the league table. Opponents don’t come as tough as Accra Great Olympics nowadays. Former Hearts of Oak talisman, Joseph Esso, who has been in imperious form with 10 goals will have a big role to play. The services of Percious Boah are not being missed at all as Dreams have held their own since his inclusion in the ongoing Under-20 African Nations Cup.
The wonder club have been the toast of many lovers of the local game this season. A season and two ago, they were languishing near the relegation places and have depended on truncation of the league one way or another to maintain their premier league status. At this juncture and rate, it will take a derailing of magnificent proportions to see them near the drop. The challenge is formidable at the top. 2nd place meets 3rd place and there is more than enough promise of an enjoyable encounter. Olympics risk losing their place to their opponents as just a point separates both sides.
| MATCH INFO | |
| Venue | Dawu Sports Stadium, Dawu |
| Date and Time | Sunday March 7, 2021 3:00 PM |
| Form | Dreams FC: WLWWW | Olympics: WLWLW |
| Position | 3rd (26 pts) | 2nd (27 pts) |
PREDICTION: 3-2
BECHEM UNITED vs EBUSUA DWARFS
Bechem United return to their favorite venue for footballing duties in this match week 17 fixture against Ebusua Dwarfs. The Hunters have shown that they will not fall in their backyard, the Bechem Park as they are yet to lose a match. They currently have won 5 matches and drawn 3 at the Bechem Park and look poised to extend their unbeaten record at their fortress. Their last game at home against Legon Cities ended in a 1-1 draw and they will turn their attention on Ebusua Dwarfs to make a strong statement that the Bechem Park is not an easy ground to visit.
Ebusua Dwarfs have been one of the teams with an impressive away record in the season so far with 3 wins, 2 loses and 2 draws. Those two losses came in the closing parts of the game where they seemed to have lost concentration. The team looks confident in away matches as though they are playing at home and can give Bechem United all sorts of problems in this fixture. If they work on that, then we have a game on our hands.
| MATCH INFO | |
| Venue | Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park, Bechem |
| Date and Time | Sunday March 7, 2021 3:00 PM |
| Form | Bechem United: DLWLW | Ebusua Dwarfs: WLLWW |
| Position | 8th (23 pts) | 10th (22 pts) |
PREDICTION: 1-0
ELEVEN WONDERS vs LEGON CITIES
Eleven Wonders have only one win in their previous 5 games and it was a massive one against Great Olympics. They may continue their giant-killing feat at home when they host Legon Cities in Match day 17. But this mission will be exceedingly difficult since Legon Cities have not tasted a defeat in their previous five games. With just 2 points above relegation, the Techiman side need this win more than ever.
In-form Legon Cities extended their unbeaten run after defeating Elmina Sharks two nil. The Accra-based are slowly building momentum to possibly target a top 4 finish in the second half of the League. After four consecutive draws in their last four games, their victory against Sharks was a sigh of relief. A second consecutive victory against Eleven Wonders away from home will possibly see them move into the top half of the league.
| MATCH INFO | |
| Venue | Ohene Ameyaw Park, ` |
| Date and Time | Sunday March 7, 2021 3:00 PM |
| Form | Eleven Wonders: LWLLD | Legon Cities: WDDDD |
| Position | 15th (17 pts) | 13th (19 pts) |
PREDICTION: 0-1
HEARTS OF OAK vs WAFA
New coach Samuel Boadu will be on the bench for Hearts of Oak in their match against WAFA, in their match day 17 fixture. Caretaker coach Samuel Nii Noi took charge of three games after the departure of Kosta Papic, winning 2 and drawing one against fierce rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko in their last game. The game many believed, was one of the most exciting super clash fixtures which ended in a draw. The Hearts team seem to have found their rhythm in the past few games and have amassed 8 points from a possible 15. They currently lie 5th on the table with 24 points. Fans of Hearts of Oak seem to have found their voices again since the team showed purpose and a sheer desire to win in their last three games played.
WAFA seem to be unstoppable when they play at home but look a sharp contrast of themselves in away fixtures. They have only managed one away win this season and this test against Hearts does not look like a walk in the park for them. They have been able to amass 4 points out of a possible 15 from the last 5 matches. Their only win in their last five matches played, came at Sogakope when they beat Karela FC by 3 goals to 1.
Will this be baptism of fire for Coach Boadu be a happy one, or WAFA will have other ideas? Time, they say, will always tell.
| MATCH INFO | |
| Venue | Accra Sports Stadium, Accra |
| Date and Time | Sunday March 7, 2021 3:00 PM |
| Form | Hearts of Oak: DWWDL | WAFA: WLDLL |
| Position | 5th (24 pts) | 9th (22 pts) |
PREDICTION: 3-0
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