In a week where WAFA’s unbeaten run at home came to an end, Liberty professionals put in an impressive performance to end Ashanti Gold’s unbeaten run, Hearts of Oak and Kotoko returned to winning ways, and Aduana Stars continue their penchant for scoring goals at home. It was another week of excellent football amazing results. Here are 7 things we learned from week six of the Ghana Premier League
Medeama poked the Lion in its den
Medeama SC are exhibiting signs of a team poised to do great things this season. Losing 2-0 away against Bechem United triggered another side of their game in the subsequent matches. They have become braver than before and playing a near perfect game since. They have beaten Kotoko and drew with Liberty at the Carl Reindorf park where league leaders AshantiGold lost. To travel all the way from Tarkwa to Sogakokpe to beat WAFA must require some tactical master plan and of course, brevity. It is true that WAFA have been off colour in their consecutive away games losing all in the process, playing in front of their fans for the first in three games was the break they needed from the troubles away and they got the lead. Medeama had other ideas altogether. They went to Sogakokpe where they have drawn the last two games and built on from there. To come back from one down to 2-1 up is impressive especially when the home side have 46 games without a defeat. The lion was already hungry but the brave Medeama went into its den, poked it and took its priceless meat. Well done Medeama SC.
Ruthless halftime for the Phobians was enough to sink hapless All Stars
After suffering a humiliating and one of their worst defeats in years in the Ghana Premier league 3-0 at the Golden City Park to Berekum Chelsea, the Phobians had one task: win the next game…nothing less. They demanded redemption and it was the only way the only way they would receive absolution. The message from the fans was loud enough and unequivocal. The Phobians began the game on a front foot, leaving the Northerners to chase shadows in the first half and meritedly, got two goals. It was a completely opposite Hearts of Oak from what we witnessed at the Berekum over the weekend with the inclusion of Inusah Musah and Samudeen Ibrahim to the starting XI for the first time this season, apparently did help their quest. Coach Henry Wellington who has come under immense pressure was the happiest man on the touchline simply because his strategy, tactics or game plan went according to plan. With two goals from Selassie Bless Bakai and Joseph Esso and reducing your opponent to 10 men all in the first half? It could not have been better. This is the kind of performance which wins back the love and support of the fans. Third on the league log with 10 points, a little bit of consistency would propel them to the summit of the table if they can manage it.
Elephants scientifically hunted, tamed and slaughtered
The miners remained the only team undefeated thus far and very confident making the trip to Dansoman on the back of an impressive victory against Kumasi Asante Kotoko. CK Akonnor was adjudged the best coach in the month of March. All was good. Against Liberty, it was not a game one would say the miners did not turn up. They were impressive as they have been in their previous five. It was just not going to their day. Liberty were quite simply resilient. They took whatever thrown at them and patiently waited for their opportunity and they took it with aplomb through Elvis Kyei Baffour. This defeat gives the elephants invaluable lessons because you learn nothing from winning. Would they be able to take in this big punch, gather themselves and be ready for their next game? They have no excuse not to.
End of the road for WAFA at 46
It was pointed out in the previous editions of our reviews (in week 3) that WAFA were not convincing even at home to Aduana though they won 2-0 thanks to goals from Aminu Mohammed and Nuhu Musah. It is not surprising at all that they had gone two-game losing streak before hosting Medeama SC; 2-0 vs. Elmina Sharks and 1-0 vs. Inter Allies. It was redemption time against a Medeama side who have been tough customers in Sogokokpe losing one in three visits (L1 D2) and in some fine run of their own, but, it did not go as anticipated as they slumped to their third defeat consecutively and has brought their enviably distinct unbeaten home run to 46. Klaus Rasmussen’s lads are obviously feeling the pressure and are capitulating as a result. It is very important that they quickly clear their heads and get back to their best to prevent a disastrous season. Three defeats on the bounce is quite different when we’re talking about WAFA because they have the capability to avoid such record. With their impeccable home record gone in smoke, maybe, just maybe, it is reality check for them. They must forget about 46 games unbeaten at home (W32 D12) and begin another journey, most importantly, improving their away record.
Kotoko fight tooth and nail to preserve 100% home record
The Porcupine Warriors are not enjoying the best of seasons they longed for especially in their travels picking just a point from a possible nine (1-1 vs. WAFA) but their home record is keeping them within touching distance of league leaders, Ashanti Gold with only three points separating them. They needed every ounce of energy to beat an Ebusua Dwarf side well drilled, determined and resilient. When Solomon Okudzeto cancelled out Kotoko’s lead, the stage was set for dramatic finished. Dwarf were up for the three points and worked really hard and got hard done by when Awudu Masawudu was sent off for receiving a second yellow card. Even from that point, Kotoko needed something extra to defeat Bashir Hayford’s organised team and eventually got the winner in the 82nd minute through Frederick Boateng. Good and significant victory it was because their mental and physical strength was tested and they passed at home again, of course. Kotoko won alright which is most important but there is still creativity and sense of urgency missing in their game. If Paa Kwasi Fabin can work on shortcomings, your guess is as good as anyone’s.
Liberty Professional exudes confidence.
The scientific soccer lads were chasing for their first home win of the season against the league leaders, Ashanti Gold and they did it in style. The visitors were yet to experience what a defeat tastes like in the new campaign under the leadership of CK Akonnor. After beating new boys Eleven Wonders 2-0 away, it was precisely the boost they required coming into the epic game against the miners. From proceedings, it was evident a defeat was not an option for the Dansoman-based club as they handled the pressure from the elephants very well. Coach Reginald Asante Boateng matched the coach of the month of March, CK Akonnor boot for boot and his refusal to implode eventually got his side a big victory and the biggest of the season thus far. Back-to-back wins for the first time this season have seen Liberty climb the o eleventh position with seven points and for the first time this season have little to worry about relegation with one contributory factor; confidence. With a game in hand and a confidence boosting victory over the league leaders, it suddenly looks good for the scientific soccer lads.
Aduana unsympathetically fire Eleven Wonders
After a fine start to their journey in the top flight, Eleven Wonders are gradually coming to terms with the difficulty of the elite league. They have yet to win or draw in any of their last three games including the matchup against the fire boys where they were absolutely destroyed. Aduana have been at their slaughterous best at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park in the last few games putting 6 each past Inter Allies and Fosa Juniors of Madagascar in the GPL and CAF Confederations Cup respectively. Hosting their neighbours was their fourth game of the season because of their engagement in continental football and once again, they treated the home fans with another excellent game. Two goals in each half and another awesome performance in Dormaa Ahenkro takes their unbeaten home run to 31 (W25 D6) and have compounded the problems of Eleven Wonders who cannot stop conceding goals. With a performance like that every week in Dormaa Ahenkro at the Nana Ameyaw Park, it feels great to be a supporter of the Fire Boys.
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