Defending champions Bibiani Gold Stars FC have a golden opportunity to close the gap on leaders Medeama SC when they host Accra Hearts of Oak at Dun’s Park tomorrow, as the Ghana Premier League title race heats up.
Gold Stars sit just three points behind the leaders and will be eager to return to the top as they attempt to retain the title they won last term.
No club have successfully defended the league crown in recent years, and the Bibiani-based side will view this season as a prime chance to break that jinx.
The match also presents a psychological challenge for the hosts, who have never beaten Hearts at the Dun’s Park in five previous meetings.
That record adds extra motivation for Gold Stars as they seek a historic first home victory over the Phobians.
Leading the charge for the hosts will be prolific striker, Samuel Attah Kumi, who has been in red-hot form with 10 goals as the competition’s leading scorer and a strong candidate for the goal-king title.
The arrival last December of Swiss tactician Fritz Markus Schmid has significantly improved the fortunes of Gold Stars, with their attack flourishing amidst worries about defensive frailties that have seen them concede goals in almost every game.
However, they face a stern test against a Hearts side boasting the best away record in the league.
The Phobians also have the meanest defence, conceding just seven goals and losing only three of their 23 matches so far this season.
However, Coach Mas-Ud Dramani’s side are experiencing a worrying conversion rate of scoring 16 goals in 23 matches, which has seen the Phobians slip one spot to the third position after being held to a goalless draw by Berekum Chelsea last weekend.
If the Phobians aim to compete for the title, their followers will expect a strong response from Coach Dramani and the players at a venue where visiting teams have struggled — Gold Stars are unbeaten at home and have dropped just two points in 11 matches.
Elsewhere, leaders Medeama SC will fancy the chance of maintaining their position as they take on 14th-placed Swedru All Blacks at the Swedru Stadium.
Asante Kotoko face Vision FC at the Baba Yara Stadium, buoyed by last Sunday’s win against Young Apostles. Stopgap coach, Prince Yaw Owusu, aims to maintain momentum to revive their title ambitions and also win the confidence of the Kotoko faithful that he is the right man for the job, following the resignation of his boss, Abdul Karim Zito.
At other centres, fifth-placed Aduana FC travel to the Tuba Astro Turf Park to battle relegation-threatened Dreams FC, while 11th-placed Basake Holy Stars welcome eighth-placed Heart of Lions to the AAK Ampain II Sports Stadium.
At the Hohoe Stadium, struggling Hohoe United will play host to FC Samartex 1996, Berekum Chelsea will welcome Young Apostles to the Nana Agyemang Badu Park, and at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park, 10th-place Bechem United will host Karela United.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh