The Blind Pass: A matchday feature on the Ghana Premier League

Published on: 23 April 2018

The Ghana premier league entered match week 9 over the weekend. The struggles of Wa All Stars and Ebusua Dwarfs continue unabated as Ashanti Gold SC sets sight on establishing themselves at the top of the pile.

Ashanti Gold SC returned to winning ways in the weekend’s opener against Inter Allies on Saturday at the Len Clay. Effectively dominant in all departments of the game, Ashgold took the lead in the first half through Roland Amouzu which will turn out to be the match winner in the end.

Alex Asamoah got back on the scoresheet as his lone goal secured a home win for Eleven Wonders over Medeama SC.

Ebusua Dwarfs suffered yet another defeat on home turf losing 2-3 to West Africa Football Academy. But for a late onslaught to reduce the deficit it would’ve been an embarrassing score line. Richard Danso opened the scores before Charles Boateng increased the tally just before half time. Justice Amate’s third for WAFA gave Dwarfs an awakening. Solomon Gyesi pulled one back on 70 minutes whilst Osman converted from the spot on the stroke of full time but it was too little too late.

Karela FC missed the opportunity of going joint top with Ashanti Gold SC as they were held to a goalless draw by Elmina Sharks.

Hearts of Oak went a third straight game without a win as they failed to get past Bechem United at the Baba Yara stadium. A howler by goalkeeper Theophilus Jackson gifted Bechem United an early lead. Hafiz Konkoni tapped in from close range after the Hearts goalie spilled a cross. Patrick Razak rescued Hearts right at the death to leave the game at 1 all.

Asante Kotoko could breathe a sigh as they pile more misery on Wa All Stars at the Malik Jabir park. Amos Frimpong put the visitors ahead just before the break. All Stars came into the game strongly after the interval but Frederick Boateng struck on the stroke of full time to put the game beyond the home side.

The game between Berekum Chelsea and Liberty Professionals was called off due to a heavy downpour. The match is set to be played on Monday afternoon.

WHAT WE LEARNED IN WEEK 9..

ASHANTI GOLD SC LOOKS LIKE SERIOUS TITLE CONTENDERS:

Having struggled consecutively after winning the title, Ashanti Gold SC looked to have picked the pieces from escaping relegation by a whisker. They have started strongly this term and look to have gathered enough momentum to mount a title challenge. Their instant recovery after losing for the first time in week 6 is just one of a championship winning side. They’ve effectively balanced the flamboyance and grit, getting the job done as required. Still a long way to go but Ashanti Gold SC are showing glimpses of a title winning side.

HEARTS IN A DILLY-DALLY :

The once dominant force in the local league have dwindled in performances in the last decade and bar a turnaround in the next few weeks, their drought might just hit a milestone. Not only have their performances been consistently inconsistent, the rank and file of the oldest club in the league seem to be wandering aimlessly and wallowing in indecision. With 3 straight games without a win and the biggest fixture on their calendar in the often, the 20 time league champions must put their house in order or risk another uneventful season.

ALL STARS IN A FREE FALL:

Champions only two seasons ago but the aftermath has seen a rather swift decline. They were pardoned by many for the manner in which they defended the title due the extra responsibility of participating in CAF and WAFU competitions. Rightly so a club with the resources and size as All Stars will ultimately struggle competing in multiple competitions. However Wa All Stars have taken a steep downward plunge into the doldrums this season. They have only won 1 out of 9 games, with only two draws. With 5 points out of a possible 27, the Wa based club are approximately 8 points worse off their previous two campaigns at this same stage on the average. Even worst is how their strength on home turf has seen a dramatic deterioration.

NEW ENTRANTS UPSETTING THE APPLE CART

The fate of newly promoted clubs in the Ghana premier league over the years has been one to forget. For most of them the joy of making that big step up is almost always short lived as they head back down in their very first season of promotion. Only once in the over half a century history of the Ghana premier league has a club taking the league by storm right from the lower division. Aduana Stars did the unimaginable by annexing the ultimate in their maiden season in the premier league in 2010. Bar this hell of an achievement the rest has been nothing to write home about. New entrants Dreams FC, Karela FC and Eleven Wonders look to have other ideas. Karela FC and Dreams FC are in 2nd and 3rd on the log respectively with Eleven Wonders lying 11th with just 3 points adrift the top 4. Should these teams keep on the path they are treading, then the history of newly promoted teams in the Ghana premier league could be rewritten.

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