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Football

GPL matchday 5: Five things to expect

We are already five matchdays into a Premier League season which started with quite some fanfare amidst what was largely the most media covered transfer season headlined by JoySports.

The season has already served us with some drama and we at Joy Sports have made a big deal of providing you with hindsight as to what to expect in each match day so here’s another of our match day predictions.

Kotoko to return with a draw

After two weeks out to honor their continental engagements, Asante Kotoko make their return to the Ghana Premier League this weekend.

Their season, which was preceded with a pre-season filled with lots of media-breaking headlines, has failed to replicate that sort of form.

Including the CAF Champions League encounter against Nouadhibou, Kotoko have played three games this season and have failed to win any.

Also, in all games played this season, Kotoko have failed to register more than one goal. The only time Kotoko scored more than one this season was when CAF awarded them two goals for Nouadhibou’s failure to honor the return leg of their Champions League fixture.

The Porcupine Warriors return to the Ghana Premier League against a Legon Cities side also making compatriots with stalemates this season. Out of four league matches played, the Royals have scored just one goal while losing one and drawing the other three.

Asamoah Gyan to Start?

The striker has featured just twice this season and made all appearances from the bench with his last outing against Dreams which saw him produce what was a decent performance in about 25 minutes.

Legon Cities assistant coach, Wahid Mohammed conceded in his post-match briefing after their goalless draw with Medema that the plan was to gradually ease the 34-year-old back into the demands of the league, and Joy Sports sources can confirm that there is a strong possibility Ghana’s all-time top scorer will start for the Accra-based side against Kotoko Friday evening.

Well, after the prolonged transfer saga between the two which saw Legon Cities hijack the deal, the matchup is one which was written in the stars.


Karela extend stay at the top?

The surprises of 2020 have extended into the Ghana Premier League. Karela United, a side many didn't foresee in their top 4 predictions have arguably been the most impressive this season.

So far, Karela have recorded the most points so far this season. They secured a draw away to Hearts of Oak in what was likely their most impressive performance yet but against Great Olympics they face another very challenging encounter.

The Oly Dade sit 8th on the table and have pulled together a string of encouraging displays. Their only loss of the season came in a seven goal thriller with WAFA – a ground very hostile to opposition so they are on a good run but Karela are inspired and will be determined to keep their top spot.

Hearts and Dreams Stalemate

Hearts lock horns with Dreams at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday. With Dreams winning just one game and Hearts winning none, both teams have endured difficult starts to the season.

In the last five years, the two clubs have had five very entertaining match ups with Hearts, having the edge with three victories. However, considering the current form of the two, the historical entertainment is bound to end this season.

Red, red, red

An average of a red card every match day this season screams trouble just like the natural meaning of the colour.

Unlike the yellow, sending offs are meant to be a rarity in football but at the average rate at which the league is currently running run, we risk the chance of seeing a total of 34 red cards at the end of the season.

Liberty Professionals and Accra Great Olympics square off at the Carl Reindorf Park on Saturday and judging from the pre-season friendly between the two which witnessed a lot of brute tackles and a red card, we should prepare for another firecracker – literally prepare for both teams to provide fire crackles.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.


DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.



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