Hearts, Olympics, 4 others threatened …As Medeama, Bechem United chase title
The 2022/23 betPawa Ghana Premier League is set to end tomorrow but will go into the annals of the competition as one of the most competitive and full of uncertainties even as of the final day.
Characteristically, places at the top or race for relegation would be mere academic exercises with winners and relegated sides previously determined at this stage of the competition.
In some cases, the tension and anxiety at this stage switches to which club overpower the other for the top spot or which club escapes relegation – but it is different this time.
Winners and relegated sides, with the exception of Kotoku Royals and King Faisal, can only be determined after the last round of matches tomorrow.
It is the reason several accolades have been implied for this scenario. Others have touted it as a fate-defining moment for Medeama SC and Bechem United who would hope for ‘mother luck’ to smile on them to emerge victorious.
Others have hyped and flaunted it as ‘Survival Sunday’, bringing into the picture a fierce struggle and battle for survival among six clubs, notably Accra Hearts of Oak, Karela FC, Accra Lions, Tamale City and Great Olympics.
Hearts’ involvement in this relegation skirmishes has no doubt heightened fans expectation ahead of the games with interesting concerns being raised as to whether the Phobians can be relegated.
Unquestionably, it sounds absurd.
With four successive defeats in their last five games, the Phobians have tumbled from the upper echelons of the table to the 11th position.
Murkier for them is the bad head-to-head comparison against those involved in the battle to survive the drop; meaning that Hearts could drop in the mighty relegation ocean if they fail to earn a point against Berekum Chelsea at the Golden City Park tomorrow and the five others win.
Why they have lowered the standards to this level remain a mystery to followers of the club but faced with this dicey circumstance, Coach David Ocloo and his charges must put their acts together to at least share the spoils with Chelsea who would be in no position to show mercy.
But the Phobian situation may not be as dire as the five others, especially Olympics and Tamale City who also have very difficult hurdles to clear to stay above water.
Great Olympics would be in a battle of their lives when they oblige Nsoatreman to the Sogakope WAFA Park which has proven to be a fortress for the Wonder Club.
Since moving to their adopted ground after abandoning the Accra Sports Stadium, they have chalked some remarkable feats at home, recording breathtaking victories against visitors, with Asante Kotoko the biggest casualty.
Tamale City was the only visitor to leave the venue unconquered. They drew one all.
Such is the form and motivation the AGOSU lads will engage Nsoatreman who are already safe and would hope to end the season on a winning note as a way to thank their followers.
Despite playing away, they would push Olympics to their limit but the Wonder Club is expected to be spurred on by their precarious position to overcome or break the visitors.
Tamale City find themselves in hot water as they face a title-chasing Medeama side at the Tarkwa Park in what is a win-or-burst encounter.
Having trailed Aduana Stars for a long spell, they took over the reins at the top and has not relented, opening a four-point gap ahead of Aduana Stars who was eventually overtaken by Bechem United who would also hope Tamale City’s quest to survive, would do them some honours.
Medeama must go all out in this game and the status of Tamale City would mean nothing to them, knowing that a slip at this stage could change the direction of the trophy.
Vincent Atinga and his colleagues have presented themselves as worthy ambassadors of the club. They have conducted themselves well and chalked some magnificent results to keep them where they are.
When they humiliated Hearts 5-1 in Accra, many thought it was a fluke but they sustained that performance and kept a winning streak until last week’s goalless encounter with Samartex.
A win could have rendered tomorrow’s clash just one for the records.
That makes Tamale City the ‘kingmakers’ of the season as they go for what might perfectly be the biggest upset of the season if they succeed in beating Medeama; knowing that a win would secure their safety and maintain their status as an elite side.
But that looks a tall order for the Tamale strugglers who have not been so impressive away from home.
Kotoku Royals’ status for the next season is already confirmed but in a spirit of ‘he that is down need fear no fall’, they are determined to exit with a mark.
Unpredictably, they have stage very strong performances in recent games even when it appears the die is cast and all hope is lost.
They took an astonishing lead against Goldstars before succumbing 3-1 but bounced back to stun Tamale City 4-1 in the penultimate encounter to leave with a legacy for relegation bound clubs.
The spirit will be the same when they welcome Karela United to the Dawu Theatre of Dreams in a game Karela must leave no stone unturned to win to stay in the Premier League.
Real Tamale United (RTU) will also aim to thank their fans with a home victory against Alhaji Grusah’s King Faisal when they clash at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale.
The home team are coming back off a season-saving victory over Hearts of Oak in Accra where they came back from a goal down to win 2-1.
At home, they would feel very comfortable to dispatch Faisal back to Kumasi empty handed.
An impressive win over Accra Lions in their penultimate game in Accra would act as a catalyst for Asante Kotoko as they engage Dreams FC at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
It has been a tumultuous and topsy-turvy season for the Porcupine Warriors who started the campaign as real contenders, became top four candidates and a mid-table side until a last minute rally took them back to the first quarter of the table.
At 51 points, a top four berth is assured but at home, a win would pacify their followers who appear to have given up on the season.
Legon Cities will lock horns with FC Samartex at the Elwak Stadium in another ‘must-win’ home encounter just as Goldstars aim to annex all three points when they host Accra Lions at the Bibiani DUN’s Park.
Aduana Stars would also face Bechem United in a cracker which outcome could determine whether there would be changes at the top of the table as the visitors target a win and scalp for Medeama SC.
BY ANDREW NORTEY
