League Report of Thursday, 28 February 2008

Source: 90 Minutes Newspaper

GT Onetouch Premier League Preview

THE Onetouch Premiership will be honoured at all the league centres except the two that has been postponed due to Ghanaian clubs' participation in the CAF/MTN Champions League. Ashgold and Accra Hearts of Oak are due to play in the second leg against Sahel FC of Niger and FC 105 of Gabon respectively this weekend. Thus, the match that would have undoubtedly been dubbed “the clash of the titans” involving Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak at the Ohene Djan Stadium has been postponed. Ashgold's match against Sekondi Hasaacas at the Sekondi Sports Stadium has also been re-scheduled for March 9, 2008. But that notwithstanding, the Onetouch Premiership action continues with Accra Great Olympics travelling to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to engage King Faisal in this twelve week fixture. After several mishaps, the Dade Boys are beginning to move into winning ways with the club's Director of Communications, Willie Alhassani hinting that they've put their house in order now starting from their win against Hasaacas last Sunday. A determined Olympics with tough talking Coach De Graft will worry King Faisal unless the Grunsah boys marshall all their resources to call off Oly's bluff.

Liberty Professionals continue their upward curve on the Premiership table and after beating Kwesi Nyantakyi's Wa All Stars at their own backyard last Sunday, it's the turn of visiting Tema Real Sportive to taste Liberty's venom at the Carl Reindorf Park at Dansoman. Sportive played for the first time on the astro turf at Tema and picked a point against King Faisal and with Hamza Abdulai, Samuel Hanson and Samuel Enzemaba controlling affairs, Liberty should watch out. Isaac “Opeele” Boateng desperately wanted to show class but ate back his words when Tema Youth suffered an ignition failure at the Baba Yara Stadium courtesy Kumasi Asante Kotoko over the weekend. As usual he had an explanation for the defeat but he returns to base to face Zaytuna FC at the Tema Stadium. Zaytuna lie 14th on the Onetouch Premiership log and “Opeele” and his lads are expected to pile more misery on them to atone for the loss to Kotoko.

Coach Lutterodt of highly fancied Gamba All Blacks must be a sad man. After being in charge for just one match, they were humiliated by Ashgold at the Len Clay Stadium. They clash with Berekum Arsenals at the Swedru Park this weekend in a must win game to boost their morale. But after accounting for Heart of Lions, the Gunners are highly motivated to at least clinch a draw. In other matches, 7th placed Kessben FC will lead an all out assault against Wa All Stars at the Anane Boateng Stadium at Abrankese. James Boadu, Bismark Aidan and Ransford Osei will certainly make things difficult for All Stars especially at home where they are impregnable. Elsewhere Heart of Lions are billed to pick maximum points at the expense of Real Tamale United at the Kpando Park to keep the heat on the Porcupine Warriors.