Week 23 of the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League provided jaw-breaking results impacting on the league standings.
Ghana’s biggest rival clubs Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak suffered defeats, dampening their hopes of winning the league this season.
New entrants Nations FC beat Kumasi Asante Kotoko by a lone goal at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, adding to the latter’s already woeful record of seven losses in the league. The defeat was Kotoko’s 4th straight loss, equaling their 2010/2011 campaign under Ebo Mends 14 years ago.
Nations’ feat & Samartex’s test
Incredibly, Nations FC, in their debut campaign, have sprung up to second place on the league log with 40 points just two (2) points behind leaders FC Samartex.
Nations FC have the best home record under manager Kasim Mingle Ocansey, going unbeaten in 12 games. What makes their season special is the fact that they handed the league leaders FC Samartex their first home defeat in 13 games at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena in Samreboi.
Leaders Samartex 1996 are enjoying themselves as the season wears off. In their second season in Ghana’s top flight league, they sit top of the league log amassing 42 points with a record of 13 wins being the highest in the league this season.
Hearts under Ouattara
From a sloppy start to the season under Dutch trainer Martin Koopman, Accra Hearts of Oak recovered when new coach Abubakar Ouattara was appointed to take charge for the second round of the season. Hearts of Oak had gone five games without a defeat until their 2-1 loss to FC Samartex on Matchday 23. The defeat leaves them on 32 points, 10 behind leaders Samartex.
Medeama back from Africa
Defending champions Medeama SC, despite their busy schedules, had combined so well the GPL and the CAF Champions League. With a game in hand, they sit sixth on the league table with 33 points and still in contention to defend their title. They handed Aduana Stars a 2-0 home defeat over the weekend to strengthen their chase on leaders Samartex.
Battle for the top
With 11 games and a possible 33 points to fight for, Week 24 could provide more twists and can ring changes at the top half of the league.
Leaders FC Samartex will host Medeama SC in a Western Derby in Aboi. Despite their fine home record, Samartex are yet to beat Medeama in the league. They’ve met three times with Medeama SC winning two drawing once at Aboi. This means the probability this game can end in a draw is 70%.
Week 24 fixtures
With Nations FC’s home invincibility, it will be difficult for Great Olympics to end their unbeaten home streak. Even though Great Olympics hold a 100% record against Nations, it’s likely Nations will pick all three points at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex. Until their 4-2 win over Aduana Stars this weekend, Olympics had gone three games without a win, losing two(2) and drawing one(1).
Kumasi Asante Kotoko could set an unwanted record of five consecutive defeats for the first time in the league when they travel to Bechem to face Bechem United. Bechem United have become a tough nut to crack whenever they face Kotoko at home. Since 2021, Asante Kotoko are yet to win in Bechem, losing two(2) and drawing one(1).
With a return to the Accra Sports Stadium, Hearts of Oak can return to winning ways after their blip in their resurgence when they meet Bibiani Gold Stars. Gold Stars are winless against the Phobians with two (2) draws and three(3) defeats. The return of top scorer Hamza Issah could prove fruitful as the Phobians will need goals to win the game.
Aduana Stars would wish to bounce back from their humiliating defeat to Great Olympics when they welcome struggling Real Tamale United to Nana Agyemang Badu Park. With the Premier League title in sight, a win is all that matters to the Dormaa lads.
Week 24 could set the tone for a HOLLYWOOD finish to the 2023/2024 Ghana Premier League.
By Solomon Amankwah|Onuaonline.com|Ghana
