Aduana Stars ended the weekend on a high note after extending the points gap at the top of the table following a crucial win over Hearts of Oak. Bechem joined the title race but King Faisal’s woes continued as Kotoko dropped points at Nsoatre.
Here are five talking points from the 18th round.
ADUANA EXEND LEAD OVER KOTOKO AND HEARTS.
Aduana Stars kicked off the second round of the season with a resounding victory over title rivals Hearts of Oak at the Accra Sports Stadium, thanks to a brace from Isaac Mintah. Due to their inconsistencies, Aduana Stars had blown chances to extend the lead almost every time their rivals dropped points. However, they have now positioned themselves comfortably on top of the log with a win. The Ogya boys are now seven points better than Kotoko and Hearts who now lie third and fourth in the standings.
HUNTERS JOIN TITLE RACE.
The season is still young, with 16 games remaining, but it could be labelled as one with many title contenders. The clear favourites for the title have been Aduana, Kotoko, and Hearts, but the presence of other teams in the top three positions throughout the season is worth noting. In a few times, Accra Lions and Bibiani Gold Stars have either moved above or very close to Hearts and Kotoko, as well as Aduana, on the table, and Bechem United have also announced their ambitions.
The Hunters have four wins and a draw in their last six games and have climbed to second place in the table with 30 points, two more than both Hearts and Kotoko.
A WEEKEND OF BRACES
The nine matches produced just a total of 15 goals but six of those goals came from three players who scored two each to help their respective teams win maximum points.
Former Kotoko player Emmanuel Keyekeh scored a brace for Samartex when they came up against Real Tamale United at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena. Samartex won 3-0 and are currently in the upper half of the standings. Serial scorer, Hafiz Konkoni also struck twice to worsen Great Olympics’ woes. It was Hafiz Konkoni’s eighth goal having scored a hattrick against Real Tamale United on matchday 15. The 23-year-old striker now ranks second on the top scorers’ chat with just a goal adrift of Berekum Chelsea’s; Afriyie Mezack.
Lastly but crucially, Isaac Mintah was the hero of the weekend as he gave Aduana SC two important goals against Hearts of Oak at the Accra Sports Stadium.
TAMALE CITY GRADUALLY FINDING THEIR FEET
Relegation-threatened Tamale City are finally avoiding defeats and picking up crucial points, which could help them save their season. They earned a narrow victory over Karela United, moving them almost away from the relegation zone. The debutants have 19 points, one point behind King Faisal and two points ahead of Legon Cities, which is ranked 15th on the table. Tamale City have not lost a game in four consecutive matches for the first time this season, having won two and drawn the other two.
To differentiate themselves from Kotoku Royals and Karela, Tamale City may need to add more to their away games.
NEW COACH, SAME PROBLEM FOR OLYMPICS
Bismark Kobby Mensah’s first game as Great Olympics head coach ended with a devastating defeat at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park when Bechem United thrashed the Oly Dade boys 3-0. Kobby Mensah took over from Yaw Preko who parted ways with the team last week following poor run of results recorded under his tutelage. However, it appears that the team’s problem will not be solved overnight with the appointment of a new coach.
More is expected of Kobby Mensah, who rose to prominence as one of Ghana’s promising young coaches during his time at Karela United. He will face another daunting task when he takes charge of his first home game in the Ga Mashie derby against Hearts of Oak on March 1.
