GPL: Matic must pass Gold Stars test today… as front-runners Berekum Chelsea, Aduana Stars face tricky trials
Today at the Accra Sports Stadium, newly appointed Head Coach of Hearts of Oak, Slavko Matic, will have a taste of his new job as they welcome Bibiani Gold Stars to the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Phobians did a double over Gold Stars last season and are looking for a third consecutive winfor Matic to start on a positive note.
For the visitors, their course have not been helped by the two opening defeats against Dreams FC and Nsoatreman FC.
Gold Stars picked a win against Bechem United in their last game but playing on the road has been hell for them and does not appear a side to stop Hearts.
Coach Matic will be without Daniel Afriyie Barnieh who is on international duty with the Black Meteors.
Surely, his absence must provide some respite for Gold Stars whose coach, Michael Osei would hope to put best foot forward.
Aduana Stars’ unbeaten run in the betPawa Ghana Premier League (GPL) will be on the line when they trek to the Tarkwa Akoon Park to face Medeama SC in resumption of the competition with day four matches.
The competition has been on break for the last three weeks over an injunction sought by demoted Ashantigold SC who were banned for match-fixing.
However, a court in Accra dismissed the suit this week and awarded a GH¢20,000 cost against the Miners to pave the way for the league to continue.
And when it does, the focus will be Aduana who have amassed seven points from three games after beating Hearts 1-0, King Faisal 3-2 and drawing 2-2 with debutants Samartex 1996.
They are, however, not at the summit of the log due to their fewer goals against the leaders Berekum Chelsea.
Gladly, they have two of the best finishers in the league – Kwame Adom Frimpong, the leading the goal king chat on two goals and teammate Bright Adjei who is also in the best of shapes.
Both have combined to grind results for Aduana in their last three games and will be expected to continue with their good form, especially at the Tarkwa Park where Medeama look so strong.
With his sight firmly fixed on annexing the trophy this season, Head Coach of Aduana Stars, Samuel Paa Kwasi Fabin, heads into the game knowing that a positive result will somewhat underline his title credentials.
However, he comes up against an experienced gaffer – David Duncan, who is also returning to theGPL and is determined to stake a claim for the title.
The last meeting between the two sides ended 1-0 in favour of Medeama SC at the Akoon Park, venue for their first two win in the current season.
At fifth with six points, Coach Duncan and his charges are unbeaten at home and would be looking to protect that record jealously and hope to end Aduana’s smooth run.
The title hopes of league leaders, Berekum Chelsea, will also be tested tomorrow at the El-Wak Stadium where they face Legon Cities.
Unlike the aforementioned sides with impressive home records, Cities do not boast of any impressive home record, having conceded one defeat already in the three-week old competition.
But Maxwell Konadu’s Royals, who since losing their first game at home to Medeama, have gone on to win twice on the bounce away to Tamale City FC and Real Tamale United.
Against Chelsea, they would face an arduous task of giving their home fans their first defeat at home.
In other fixtures, debutants Nsoatreman FC will stay at the Nana Konamansah Park to host Karela United, Dreams FC will engage Accra Lions at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ in Dawu while Bechem United, with two defeats in the bag, will hope for a good day at home at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park against Kotoku Royals.
Samartex FC will take on unbeaten Accra Great Olympics at the Akoon Park.
Monday would witness derbies in Tamale at the Aliu Mahama Stadium where Real Tamale United come up against Tamale City and in Kumasi where King Faisal host Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
