1. Asante Kotoko are falling freely:
Week 20 to 23 of last season, Asante Kotoko lost to Karela, Accra Lions, Aduana and Nations consecutively. The club under Prosper Ogum has repeated that unwanted record again this season. The Porcupine Warriors have lost their last 4 games and are winless in the last 5. Why have things turned sour so soon for Asante Kotoko? They started the season pretty well, albeit they were not winning convincingly. Fans thought it was all good, but things have suddenly changed. The free fall is unacceptable, and it’s almost time for changes. Kotoko now is 3 points behind Accra Hearts of Oak. The 2-0 defeat at Obuasi against Nations FC on Sunday has put the club under immense pressure, especially head coach Prosper Narteh Ogum. It is the right time to stop the club from falling freely once again.
2. Nations FC are the team to beat now
Kasim Ocansey Mingle and Johnson Smith’s side are currently on top of the league. They are playing with swagger and the squad is believing in themselves. Even without the imperious centre-back Razak Simpson, Nations travelled to Obuasu and recorded their 4th away win of the season. We are just at the one-third stage of the season, but the Abrankese-based club have shown that they are indeed the team to beat now. Nations have won 12 points from the last few games and are now two points above second-placed Bibiani Gold Stars. Next is a fixture at Abrankese against Berekum Chelsea, with the fans expecting all three points to probably extend their lead on top of the table.
3. The experienced gaffers show their class
Paa Kwesi Fabian and Abdul Karim Zito are two household names in Ghanaian football coaching. The two bosses have been around for a while and have proved that they are top-notch managers who will always do well when trusted. Legon Cities and Dreams FC had a very poor start to the season, but they are no more in trouble, having moved out of the relegation zone, surprisingly. The clubs look new due to the experience these two managers have. Many were wondering where the inspiration was going to come from, but Paa Kwesi Fabian and Abdul Karim Zito have made sure their squad will not lack that.
4. Ouattara seems to turning things around
It’s three consecutive wins for Hearts of Oak for the first time in 9 months. It has not been an easy trip for the Ivorian head coach, Aboubakara Ouattara, since the commencement of the season. Things were extremely horrible with Phobia losing the first two games. Many called for the sacking of the coach, but Dr Nyaho Tamakloe made it clear that they trusted the process and that Ouattara was the right man for the job. The 1-0 away win against Karela has sent the club to 4th on the log with just four points behind leaders Nations FC. Hearts of Oak will have a huge opportunity to make it four consecutive wins when they face Nsoatreman before travelling to Obuasi for the Super Clash. It seems Aboubakar Ouattara has turned the corner, and Phobia fans hope it will continue for a long time.
5. Medeama ends Bibiani Gold Stars’ unbeaten run
It took Bibiani Gold Stars 13 good games spanning from last season before tasting defeat. The Miners have enjoyed a wonderful moment under Frimpong Manso. They have been on top of the table for a while until Nations usurped them on Sunday night. Medeama won 2-0 through Derrick Fordjour and Kelvin Nkrumah’s goals in either half of the game. It condemned Bibiani Gold Stars to a rare defeat. Nebojsa Kapor, the head coach of Medeama, was warned not to lose this game, and he duly delivered. Bibiani Gold Stars must bounce back to winning ways after failing to win any of their last three games.
