1. Samartex loses their home momentum on Monday morning against Nations FC
A win on Monday morning would have extended Samartex’s incredible lead to 6 good points but was unlucky to have lost that game against Nations FC. Samartex hit the woodwork on 4 occasions as their head coach Nurudeen Amadu bemoaned the lack of luck on their side on the day. 8 games were played at the Nsekyire Park and all were won by the determined Timber Giants before the 1-0 defeat to Nations FC.
Nations FC didn’t allow Samartex to make it nine by snatching an impressive 1-0 win in Samraboi. Samartex still leads by three points on the top of the league log and quickly needs to bounce back to winning ways over the weekend.
2. Hearts of Oak wins three consecutive games for the first time this season
It was Hearts of Oak’s 6th win of the season and half of it has come in their last three games. It is seriously incredible that Phobia unbelievably struggled in the first half of the season as they won just 4 games in 17.
On Sunday in Nsoatre, many expected Phobia to lose against a very formidable side but turned it around in the second half and won 2-1 against Nsoatreman. The win was Hearts of Oak’s third in succession and it has moved them to 7th with 8 points before the top of the table.
Phobia has started believing in the Ivorian tactician, Ouattara, although it is very early to talk about anything. Next is in Oseikrom against the troubled Tano Bofoakwa. Will it be 4th win consecutively?
3. Asante Kotoko wins to close the gap to three points
Under the Baba Yara flood light, Kotoko once again squared off against Bibiani Gold Stars. It was not a 5-0 humiliation but it was a slim win which was also important for Prosper Ogum’s quest for the title as it helped Asante Kotoko to reduce the points gap to 3.
Now second on the table, all is set for Fabolous to gain momentum and chase Samartex for the title. Bibiani Gold Stars showed that they had matured enough by fighting against Kotoko.
4. Bashir Hayford and Abubakar Damba faced reality in the away defeats
Bashir Hayford and Abubakar Damba are veteran coaches who have quickly restored hope and excitement to the Heart of Lions and Karela United fans’ faces. They have been so comfortable at home with Bashir Hayford winning 10 points from a possible 12 in 4 home games while Abukari Damba has eliminated Asante Kotoko in the MTN FA Cup and secured an emphatic 2-0 win over Legon Cities in the Ghana Premier League both at home.
Over the weekend, both coaches lost- Heart of Lions was beaten 2-0 by Great Olympics and Karela United was smashed 3-0 by Berekum Chelsea. This is the reality of the Ghana Premier League- away games are different from home games. Their job is very difficult because their away games will define their seasons. The relegation battle will be easier if they can win points away.
5. RTU and Bofoakwa are in trouble
At the Berekum Golden City Park, Real Tamale United locked horns against Tano Boafoakwa in a relegation six-pointer game which could define their seasons. A 90th-minute strike from Mohammed Mankuyeli was enough to snatch a point for RTU. It broke Bofoakwa’s heart as they were heading towards their first win since Week 9.
Both teams are in a relegation fight and will need to do much before they will survive. Real Tamake United has won 2 of their last 10, drawn 1 and lost 7. Bofoakwa Tano has drawn 5 and lost 5 in the last 10 matches. In a total of 60 points, they have both won a combined 11 points. It is simply not good enough!
These are two traditional teams that have been struggling in the last decade and it seems their struggles are not ending any sooner.
