The Ghana Premier League returns after a two-week break partly courtesy the preliminary matches of the MTN FA Cup and the December 7 General Elections.
Fans and the Premier League lovers are hoping to enjoy interesting fixtures ahead of the Christmas season and that will start from this weekend’s packed action numbering round of thirteen of the current campaign.
The season has seen some incredible performances culminating in saves, goals, assists, dribbles and reactions from players, coaches and supporters from the opening twelve games.
Here at Ahotor Sports Desk, we take an analytical review and predictions ahead of round 13 games which will feature the country’s biggest club fixture involving Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak. “The Super Clash” as it has often been called.
League toppers Bibiani Gold Stars have amassed 23 points from 12 games have scored 11 goals and conceded just four. (W6, D5, L1; GF 11, GA 5, GD +6).
Second placed Nations FC recently climbed to the top of the Ghana Premier League table for just a week after a statement 2-0 victory against Kumasi Asante Kotoko, with goals from Nafiu Sulemana and Faisal Charwetey, who is the league’s top scorer with eight goals this season on match day 11 have had same number of wins as Gold Stars but lost twice to in twelve games.
Nations FC boast of an impressive goal difference of +9 (13 goals scored and 4 conceded).
Premier League Record holders Asante Kotoko returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory against Aduana FC, thanks to goals from Patrick Asiedu and Albert Amoah fortnight ago. This win eased pressure on coach Dr. Prosper Nartey Ogum and moved Kotoko up to 7th place in the Ghana Premier LeagueAsante Kotoko returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory against Aduana FC, thanks to goals from Patrick Asiedu and Albert Amoah.
This win alleviated the growing pressure on coach Dr. Prosper Nartey Ogum and moved Kotoko up to 7th place in the Ghana Premier League behind Accra Hearts of Oak with 18 points with 18 points feeling confident ahead of the Super Clash on Sunday. Coach Ogum men had gone four games without a win in the league.
At the end of the 12th round, a total of 108 games have been played without any outstanding seeing 47 home wins , 39 draws and the rest for away wins.
The league has recorded a total of 167 goals scored across matches so far this season, averaging 1.54 goals per match.
Nine (9) of the goals scored being penalty goals from a total of 10 penalties awarded and five (5) of which are own goals.
Faisal Charwetey (Nations FC) leads the Ghana Premier League goal-scoring chart after Week 12 with 8 goals, followed by Heart of Lions duo Kojo Obeng Junior and Mustapha Yakubu and Albert Amoah of Kotoko with 6 goals.
A total of 385 cards has been shown by officiating officials as of the end of week 12. Fourteen (14) of which are red cards.
As mentioned earlier this weekend actions will season the top liner Asante Kotoko have did the double over the eternal rivals Accra Hearts of Oak in the 2023/2024 season where they survived relegation on the final winning away to Bechem United 3-2 in a controversial game.
Aboubakar Ouattara’s charges look to have picked form recording just one defeat in 10 games since September 22, 2024 and picking 3 victories and a draw from their last four outings.
Asante Kotoko will hope to not only draw inspiration from their encounters with their rivals but also that all important 2-0 win against Dormaa Aduana Stars last time out.
The Porcupines are currently sit 7th in the standings with 18 points from 12 matches, achieving 5 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses.
Unbeaten in the last seven games, Bechem United will travel to negotiate with Legon Cities for the three points.
Including 1-0 against Kotoko, Bechem have for three wins in a row and confident of extending their impressive run against an inconsistent Legon Cities who were thrashed 3-0 by Heart of Lions last time out.
This weekend will also see a historic fixture for newcomers Holy Stars and Young Apostles who are meeting for the first time in the Ghana Premier League. Holy Stars recorded an unexpected away win against Accra Hearts of Oak on the GPL opening day and drew 1-1 with Asante Kotoko in October picking four points from the ‘big boys’ but have lost five times, drawing three in twelve games fetching them fifteen points to leave them 10th on the table.
Wenchi based Young Apostles are inspired by their last away narrow win to defending champions FC Samartex going into this game. A win on Sunday will be the second time this season that Young Apostles win away game.
Another game which will catch eyes is Berekum Chelsea versus Aduana Stars. Chelsea handed Nations FC their first ever defeat at the Abrankese park two weeks ago scoring from a controversial spot kick. Samuel Boadu’s side will aim to record two victories on the bounce for the first time season but won’t come easy as they face Aduana Stars who wounded from their last home defeat to Asante Kotoko.
Aduana Stars hold a dominant 4 wins and 2 draws in this fixture since 2020 but have never won a game at the Golden City Park in the same period.
Third placed Heart of Lions have picked four wins and a draw from their last five games with a 3-0 triumph being the latest over Legon Cities. They book a date with Samartex who have lost all their last two games by 1-0 score line in a crunchy encounter in Samraboi.
Leaders Bibiani Gold Stars and Karela United are both motivated from victories recorded in their respective last games as they come in contention for the three points. Gold Stars look set to extend lead at the top by taking advantage of Karela’s poor home run which has just one win in six games.
Table after Match Day 12
Match Day 13, Full fixtures
Saturday, December 14, 2024.
▪Accra Lions v Nations FC
▪Asante Kotoko v Accra Hearts of Oak
Sunday, December 15, 2024.
▪Berekum Chelsea v Aduana Stars
▪Holy Stars v Young Apostles
▪Karela United v Gold Stars
▪Nsoatreman v Dreams FC
▪Legon Cities v Bechem United
▪Samartex 1996 v Heart of Lions
▪Vision FC v Medeama SC
