GhanaFA

Weekend's premiership preview

16 years ago
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From one major footballing event to another, Ghanaian fans would have much to cheer about as the premiership bounces back with lots of changes within set-ups of clubs and match venues.

The excitement of the 2008 African Nations Cup is expected to have a carryover effect on the league and the availability of the four stadiums of international standards used in hosting the tournament would now spice up the domestic competition for a long haul.

Five premiership teams – Hearts, Olympics, All Blacks, Zaytuna and Tema Youth - have changed their technical heads in their bid to improve their standings as match-day-11 games are played this Sunday.

These changes are expected to turn around their fortunes beginning Sunday when eight league games are played from down South to the Northern sector and across the country.

Real Tamale United would finally move into their new home, the 20,000 capacity Tamale Stadium built purposely to host the Nations Cup when they welcome struggling champions, Accra Hearts of Oak on Sunday.

The Phobians back from a 3-0 continental club defeat have put Israeli coach, Eyal Lachman in charge to mend their broken hearts and change the fortunes of the club, who lie 11th with a whopping 13 points separating them from leaders and rivals, Asante Kotoko.

“Everyone knows we have had technical problems lately and our hope is that the coach can help us sort that one out,” Albert Commey, the Communications Director of the club says.

However, Lachman has bid for some time to turn around the poor run by the club. He would make his debut against the Pride of the North who are four points ahead of the Phobians.

Dauda Lutterodt gets a shot at the premiership after been appointed by Gamba All-Blacks during the break. The former Hearts of Oak assistant coach leads the Black Magicians to the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi to play AshantiGold.

At the El Wak Stadium in Accra, former Lebanese international Fadi Omari who takes over the reins of the technical duties at Zaytuna FC following the resignation of Ibrahim Sunday would guide the Dansoman-based club on Sunday in a game against Kessben FC.

The newly laid artificial pitch at the Tema Park would be use for premiership action this weekend as Real Sportive, playing at home engage King Faisal.

Fadi Omari would try to keep up Zaytuna, who lie second from bottom in the League with nine points out of ten games so far against a Kessben side who have been dipping after a good start in the league.

Table toppers, Asante Kotoko would attempt to carry off the impressive run of results when they return to their favoured grounds, the Baba Yara Stadium to play Tema Youth, who have placed their hopes in TV analyst and former Kessben FC assistant coach, Isaac Boateng to improve their performance on their second season in topflight football.

The Porcupine Warriors would want to maintain the three-point gap they hold at the top of the standings but face a tricky test on Sunday.

Heart of Lions would seek to keep up the pace at the top when they travel to the dreaded Golden City Park to play Berekum Arsenals.

Lions, the only club apart from Kotoko to clock more than 20 points in ten matches so far this season would go for a win to keep the Reds in sight but would have it rather tough against the Gunners.

Third placed, Liberty Professionals seek to get closer to the 20-point mark when they travel to Wa play All Stars who have enjoyed some mixed results so far.

Newly signed on coach of Accra Great Olympics, Joe De Graft occupies an uninviting position on the bench of the bottom-placed, Wonder Boys.

De Graft, who has been hired to save the clubs season has his first game coming up against his former club, Sekondi Hasaacas at the Ohene Djan Stadium.

The position of Hasaacas, who are two places above the Wonder Boys make the game a battle for two relegation threatened sides.