GREAT OLYMPICS vs MEDEAMA
The Ghana Premier League returns for the second round of matches, with an eye-catching fixture which piths 2nd Against 5th. Accra Great Olympics were the talk of town in the first half of the Premier League. Star performers such as the Abbey-Quaye brothers and Black Stars midfielder, Gladson Awako held the team together. In their quest to start the rest of the league with some vigour, it is critical that they set off on the best possible footing. A win against Medeama will be a confidence boost. But that will be against their former handler in Yaw Preko who is at the helm of Medeama’s coaching team.
The yellow and mauves, after recording a draw in their last fixture before the close of round one have another away trip to handle. Coach Yaw Preko will face his former side as they commence their second round of matches for the GPL 2020/2021 season. The quality of his side has never been in doubt. Additions in the frame of Ivorians Zana Oumar Coulibaly and Zakaria Mumuni to shore up their defence is a step in the right direction as they seek to reduce their concession rate which stands at 16 goals.
| MATCH INFO | ||
| Venue | Accra Sports Stadium, Accra | |
| Date and Time | Friday April 2, 2021 6:00 PM | |
| Form | Great Olympics: WWLWL | Medeama: DWWWL |
| Position | 2nd (30 pts) | 5th (27 pts) |
DREAMS FC vs INTER ALLIES
The believers have been the team of the year 2021. Their coach, Vladislav Viric and Algeria-bound Joseph Esso were voted coach and player of the month of February respectively. That was testament to an excellent start to the season. Inter Allies were the whopping boys of the first half of the season and may seem not to be a daunting prospect. At the Theatre of Dreams, the believers have been formidable, with a solitary loss to Olympics being the only dent in a long while.
Inter Allies have been the most woeful side this season. They lost 11 out of the 17 games, conceding 19 goals along the way. That notwithstanding, the fresh start presents a great opportunity to start better and record better results. Dreams FC won’t come easy. Inter Allies have done away with their manager Danijel Mujkanovic after just three months in charge. Some of their 7 signings include Richard Arthur, Henry Kalu and Kwabena Kyeremanteng. The ship seems a bit unsteady at the moment. They have no option but to dig deep if they will save their season.
| MATCH INFO | ||
| Venue | Dawu Sports Stadium, Dawu | |
| Date and Time | Sunday April 4, 2021, 3:00 PM | |
| Form | Dreams FC: LWLWW | Inter Allies: DLWDL |
| Position | 6th (26 pts) | 18th (12 pts) |
PREDICTION: 2-0
BECHEM UNITED vs LIBERTY PROFESSIONALS
Bechem United is one of the teams yet to lose at home this season. This second-round fixture is one many think will go the way of Bechem United. The first-round fixture between the two sides resulted in a 1 all draw with goals from George Ansong for Liberty Professionals and an equalizer for Bechem, from Hafiz Konkoni. Hafiz, went on to be voted man of the match in that fixture.
Liberty has one of the poorest away records in the league, with only one away win which they surprisingly secured against Ashgold in the match week 13 fixture. Liberty needs to work hard to avoid relegation as they are positioned, 17th on the table. The second seems to be unforgiven to teams that do not wake up from poor run of performances and are often relegated at the end of the season. The team has a tall mountain to climb as they travel to one of the most difficult venues in the league.
| MATCH INFO | ||
| Venue | Nana Fosu Gyabour Park, Bechem | |
| Date and Time | Sunday April 4, 2021, 3:00 PM | |
| Form | Bechem United: DDLWL | Liberty: LLLDW |
| Position | 8th (24 pts) | 17th (15 pts) |
PREDICTION: 3-1
ELMINA SHARKS vs EBUSUA DWARFS
Elmina Sharks kick off their 2nd round GPL campaign with a central regional derby where they square off with neighbours Ebusua Dwarfs at the Nduom Sports Complex. It will be two sides matched by mid table form but separated by contrasting fortunes especially off the pitch. Dwarfs remain one of only four teams to retain their coach from start of the season while their hosts’ decision to change manager catalyzed a victory that snapped a 6 games winless run after beating Kotoko.
Sharks boosted their squad with 5 newbies into the side during the just ended transfer window hoping to gap the hole left by the departure of star men Benjamin Tweneboah and Benjamin Arthur. It was Dwarfs who caught all the attention with the singing of Japanese import Jindo Morishita. The first ever Japanese to grace the GPL.
In their reverse encounter, Sharks held Dwarfs to a 2-2 drawn game with a last gasp equalizer from the host. A game Sharks dominated all round. Dwarfs have improved much since and this latest encounter will present a new challenge for both teams with a host of changes to the lineups of both teams .
The Elmina based team lost a single game at home during the first round while Dwarfs won one game with one clean sheet on the road during that period. Captain Dennis Korsah returns from national team duty and will as usual bombard the left flank to supply the Abontuabontua forwards. On the path of Sharks, Alhaji Mustapha will be the lookout man after his resurgent showing against Kotoko.
| MATCH INFO | ||
| Venue | Cape Coast Stadium, Cape Coast | |
| Date and Time | Sunday April 4, 2021, 3:00 PM | |
| Form | Elmina Sharks: WLLLD | Ebusua Dwarfs: DWLLW |
| Position | 13th (20 pts) | 17th (15 pts) |
PREDICTION: 1-1
BEREKUM CHELSEA vs LEGON CITIES
This second round fixture between the Berekum boys and Legon Cities looks nothing short of exciting. Berekum Chelsea are still unbeaten at home this season and look like they are going to extend that record. The first round fixture between these two, played in Accra Sports Stadium, resulted in a 1 all draw with goals from Stephen Amonkonah for Berekum Chelsea from a penalty kick and an equalizer for Legon Cities by Jonah Attuquaye also from the spot kick. They play at the Nana Agyeman Badu Park since their regular home venue the Golden City Park undergoes some renovation. It will still be a tough venue for their visitors and it will not be shocking if Chelsea records another win.
A refreshed Legon Cities come face to face with one of the toughest away matches this season. They have lost only once in their last eight games but cannot be written off, in this fixture. The team currently has one of the lethal attack lines in the league with the likes of former Ashgold striker Hans Kwofie and Victorien Adebayor who is on loan from his Danish club. Victorien Adebayor was the leading goal king for Inter Allies FC before being singed by HB Koge in Denmark.
This match week 18 fixture will indeed be a blockbuster of a match.
| MATCH INFO | ||
| Venue | Nana Agyeman Badu Park, Dorma | |
| Date and Time | Sunday April 4, 2021, 3:00 PM | |
| Form | Berekum Chelsea: DLWWD | Legon Cities: LWDDD |
| Position | 12th (21 pts) | 15th (19 pts) |
PREDICTION: 2-2
HEARTS OF OAK vs ADUANA STARS
Revenge will be on the minds of Hearts of Oak as they host Aduana Stars in this match week 18 fixture. Their visit to Dorma in the first round saw them lose painfully by 2 goals to nil with goals coming from Yahaya Mohammed and Prince Acquah in the 41st and 46th minutes respectively. In that game, Hearts failed to get a consolation as Raddy Ovouka missed a penalty in the dying embers of the game. A revenge win against Aduana Stars in this second round fixture will be indeed sweet for new coach Samuel Baodu, as he is gradually making strides in his role as head coach. His first game in charge, saw his side winning 4 nil against WAFA. Although Hearts won in their last game, there are still some loose ends to tie as the new coach builds a formidable team that will be difficult to break in the future.
Aduana Stars will love to record back to back wins against Hearts this season as they travel to face them. Although they are not impressive when they play in away matches, this fixture against Hearts is good enough motivation for the “Ogya” boys to prove how good they are in big games. They have proved that when they secured a shock 1 nil away win against Kotoko in that match week 10 fixture.
Hearts must be weary of the treats that Aduana Stars poses and do all they can to nullify them.
| MATCH INFO | ||
| Venue | Accra Sports Stadium, Accra | |
| Date and Time | Sunday April 4, 2021 6:00 PM | |
| Form | Hearts of Oak: WDWWD | Aduana Stars: LWLLW |
| Position | 3rd (27 pts) | 7th (24 pts) |
PREDICTION: 2-0
