Tough battles ahead as 2024/25 GPL kicks off
Club football returns on a full scale, starting tomorrow as the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League (GPL) kicks off with places for continental slots and fight against relegation battles, high on the cards of the 18 participating clubs.
With Samartex and Nsoatreman FC sweeping the top honours in the previous season and Hearts and Kotoko, the perennial favourites labouring all season,
fans would be out to see how the big guns take over or whether the new status quo established by the ‘smaller clubs’ would be maintained.
For the new entrants, Vision FC, Young Apostles and Basake Holy Stars, they face a stern test to break the jinx surrounding the inability of newbies to survive the fire at the elite stage of the game.
But if the likes of Samartex, Nsoatreman, Nations FC and Accra Lions survived at various seasons of qualification, then it means that task is not beyond them.
It is in such spirit that Vision FC would hope to kick start their campaign today when they engage Berekum Chelsea in the season’s opener at the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex in Tema.
It should be a cracker as both sides aim to commence the campaign on a winning note.
But for Vision FC, the agenda may be more than just a win. With Premier League football missing in the Tema Metropolis for almost a decade, they face the added challenge of performing above expectation by securing their slot for fans in the area.
Following that on Sunday at the Nana Konamansah Park at Nsoatre, there would be another new entrant, Young Apostles, who play as guests of Nsoatreman FC.
For the Apostles, theirs seem a Heculean task as they face a side that are in good form as they overpowered Elect Sports from Chad in their maiden battle in the CAF Confederations Cup competition.
Bechem United was among the best sides of the previous season but succumbed to the superiority of Samartex and others that placed above them.
That notwithstanding, Bechem represent a loftier opposition against Nations FC at the Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex in Kumasi.
Karela United would hope to avoid the blues of last season as they escape relegation on the final day but would endure a torrid start as they welcome the Porcupine Warriors, Asante Kotoko, a side that has undergone major transformation during the off-season at the Naa Sherigas Sports Complex.
Medeama SC would surely be favourites at home – newly refurbished Tarkwa & Abosso Park, against Accra Lions, a side with an ambition to survive another season.
High-flying Samartex’s sustained form carried from last season through off-season where they emerged victorious in the preliminary match of the CAF Champions League against Victoria United and climaxed with the Champion of Champions feat, would be tested by Dreams FC at the Accra Sports Stadium tomorrow.
Hearts of Oak would have to demonstrate a new verve and resilience to show their readiness for the new season when they face Basake Holy Stars in a clash at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
At the Dun’s Park in Bibiani, Goldstars would host Legon Cities while Aduana Stars are expected to maintain their dominance at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park in Dormaa where they host Kpando Heart of Lions.
BY ANDREW NORTEY
