The last day of the 2017-18 Ghana Premier League promises to be nervy and exciting at the same time as clubs desperate to avoid relegation go into decisive clashes on Sunday.
Accra Great Olympics who have labored to jump out of the relegation blues throughout the season head into a difficult clash against fellow relegation threatened side, Bechem United away from home. Olympics who struggled to win 1-0 over Ashanti Gold controversially on match day 29 sit uncomfortably in 15th position with 36 points. Having scored a paltry 27 goals so far in the season, their task away from home against Bechem United will be a difficult one considering that Bechem United themselves have a similar escape job to do. The home team in their previous game lost 1-2 to Tema Youth in Tema and will go all length to ensure that victory at home is certain against a desperate opposition as Olympics.
The fight for survival in the league will be re-echoed at the Accra Sports Stadium where Hearts of Oak will host regional rivals, Inter Allies. The Phobians who have already secured third spot on the league log have nothing to lose that the protection of their pride and will therefore have the luxury of sitting back to hit their desperate opponents with counter attacking football when they both clash in Accra. Hearts’ head coach, Frank Nuttal will linger with the thoughts of fielding a second string side knowing that a win or defeat against Inter Allies will not affect their position on the league log.
nter Allies on match day 29 enhanced their fight for survival with a convincing 2-1 win over Dansoman based Liberty Professionals at the El Wak stadium and will hope their other regional rivals, Hearts of Oak will be an easier task to handle even away from home.
Tema Youth at Berekum seem doomed for Division One football considering that Berekum Chelsea hardly drop points at home. The Tema based side have had an up and down story to the season playing some delightful football at one time especially at home and at other times failing to live up to expectation against their opponents. The Osei Kwaku Palmer side relied on a late penalty to overcome Bechem United on match day 29 rising to 37 points on the league table. That win did little to their position on the league table however as Tema Youth sit 14th, 3 points above Great Olympics and 1 below Berekum Chelsea.
Another team that will go all guns blazing will be Scientific soccer lads, Liberty Professionals who have uncharacteristically struggled throughout this season. Liberty will be guests to Asante Kotoko who themselves are looking to cement their 4th position on the league table.
Asante Kotoko are currently on 43 points, separated by just a point from Wa All Stars who are lurking behind ready to overtake them for the 4th spot. Liberty Professionals in the face of such an arduos task will come at Kotoko from all angles hoping that a win will brighten their chances of survival.
At the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium uncrowned league winners, Aduana Stars will have a torrid game to handle for a coronation as opponents, Ashanti Gold are battling to be unscathed in a similar relegation battle. Ashanti Gold, despite sitting 11th on the league table only have a paltry 38 points to boast of Knowing that any slip at home could cause them their league status, Ashanti Gold led by C.K Akunnor will go all out against the league champions. For pundits, Ashanti Gold look likelier of the two to record a win considering that Aduana Stars have already wrapped up the league trophy and will be tempted to field a weak side for the game.
In other games, Elmina Sharks will host Wa All Stars at home while MedeamaSC, safe from relegation will be guests to WAFA at Sogakope.
Bolga All Stars will say good-bye to the league with a home match against Cape-Coast Ebusua Dwarfs.
Though for neutral fans the last league games will be exciting to follow, same cannot be said of the fans of the clubs battling to avoid the drop. One thing is certain for sure however, that after all eight games on Sunday have ended, two other clubs will join Bolga All Stars to say good-bye to the Ghana Premier League.
All games kick off on Sunday at 15:00GMT
Source:GHPL
