GPL Round-up: Hearts of Oak close in on a first league title in 12 years as three others record wins
A recap of the actions in the Ghana Premier League over the weekend.
Football fans in Ghana were entertained to the biggest game of the weekend in the Ghana Premier League with a fierce encounter between arch-rivals, Hearts of Oak and Kotoko in the Super Clash. Aside the Super Clash, there were six other matches across various match venues over the weekend and myactiveonline Clifford Adumbire brings you a summary of the goals and stats that came in at every match venue.
The week 31 matches started with clash between Eleven Wonders and Berekum Chelsea at the Ohene Ameyaw Stadium in Techiman. Eleven Wonders were looking for a redemption following their loss to Dreams FC in the previous game and Chelsea were looking for consistency after their success over Elmina Sharks in the last round.
After early open exchanges between the two sides, Eleven Wonders found the way to break the duck in the forward Samuel Boakye netting the opener in the 26th minute for the Sure Wonder boys. One soon was two when Amos Frimpong netted with three minutes to recess to double his side’s advantage. Bright Amponsah then scored in the 52nd minute to half the deficit before Abass Ganiu restored Wonders 2 goal cushion as they saw out the 3-1 win.
Inter Allies lost 0 – 2 to Liberty Professionals at the Theatre of Dreams in Dawu on Sunday afternoon. The relegation bound Inter Allies were quickly undone by the Scientific Soccer lads in the 16th minute through midfielder Brite Andoh’s strike. Asamoah Simon Appiah then increased the Dansoman-based side’s tally with his own effort in the 41st minute three minutes before Inter Allies went a man down following Emmanuel Boadu’s sending off for a second bookable offense. Liberty would then miss the chance to add to their tally in the second half when Abraham Wafo had his spot-kick saved by Gideon Ahenkorah.
Bechem United and Medeama SC could not break down each other in a game that produced very few chances. The Hunters playing from home with Steven Owusu, Emmanuel Annor and Clinton Duodu in attack hoping to find a way past the progressive Medeama side. Baba Musah came on in the second and gave the visitors better ideas in attack but none could result in a goal as they settled for a point each.
Aduana Stars were 2-0 winners over Dreams FC side at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park in Dorma Ahenkro. With a flurry of some decent exchanges characterizing the first half, it was the Ogya Boys who made full use of theirs as Sam Adams found the back of the net with three minutes to end the first half. Brigh Adjei then scored his own deep into first half added time to make it 2-0 heading into the break. Neither side could manage a goal in the second half as Aduana Stars held on to claim all three points.
Tahir Mensah and Kasim Razak registered their names on the score sheet as Elmina Sharks and Great Olympics played out a 1-1 stablemate. Sharks got the breakthrough in added time in the first half through Tahir Mensah to go to the break with the advantage. Olympics replied in same measure by keeping it till late in the 2nd minute of second half injury time when Kasim Razak equalized to ensure his side return home with a point.
Asante Gold and West African Football Academy played to a goalless draw at the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi. Ash Gold who were buoyant with confidence following their 501 drubbing of Liberty Professionals last time out could not outsmart the Academy Boys who also were confident following a 3-2 win over Aduana Stars in their last match. Their high scoring results in previous matches could not be replicated and except for a Joseph Esso disallowed goal for WAFA, no one went close to scoring.
The weekend’s biggest game and potential title decider was played at the Accra Sports Stadium with a fan pack stadium. Hearts of Oak hosted Kotoko in a top of the table clash dubbed Super Clash. With both sides on same points heading into the match and Hearts leading the pack by superior goal difference, the atmosphere was lit and tensed. And it took a 66th minute strike U-20 star Daniel Barnieh to separate the two sides following a barren first 45 minutes of action. The win consolidates Hearts lead at the top and now leaves Kotoko to do the maths, win their matches and hope for others to go their way.
Ebusua Dwarfs travelled away from home to beat Karela at the Nduom Sports Complex at Elmina by 4-1. A hat-trick from Moro Sumaila which came in the 13th, 49th and 82nd minutes and a goal from Enock Afram were enough to endure that Mamudu Kamaradin’s 78th minute strike was a mere consolation.
King Faisal blew two past Legon Cities at Techiman to consign the Royals to three straight defeats.Goals from Kwadwo Frimpong and Kwame Peprah in the 22nd and 57th minutes respectively were what got all the three points for the Inshallah Boys at Techiman.
By: Clifford Adumbire | myactiveonline.com
