Soccer News of Sunday, 16 October 2011

Source: GFA

Preview: Kotoko, Hearts in tricky duels

A massive weekend of Glo Premier League action sees crucial ties at both the top and the bottom beginning Saturday.

Berekum Chelsea will be eager to avoid another slip-up at the Golden City Park as their title defence continues with a home game against Liberty Professionals on Saturday live on Metro TV at 3:00pm.

The champions laboured to a 1-1 draw in their league opener and another setback would peg them back in the early stages of the competition. Coach of Chelsea, Steve Pollack expects an improved display from his players.

It is a weekend with a number of big games with the bulk of the matches set for Sunday.

An impressive start to the season would see Hearts of Oak head into the Accra derby determined to avert another defeat to Mighty Jets, who beat the Phobians in the second round of the previous campaign.

Mahatma Otoo expects the Phobians to be sharper against Jets.

"As the matches go on, we would take it game after game," the Hearts player said.

Medeama would be on the road to Dormaa where they take on Aduana Stars at the Agyemang Badu Park in a game live on Metro TV at 3:00pm.

Both sides lost their opening games and would be pushing to outdo the other in this fixture. But for Medeama, who have placed head coach Bashir Hayford on leave after their defeat last Sunday, lots of would be expected of assistant coach Yusif Abubakar.

Debutants, Wassaman will be looking for their first premiership win at the Sekondi Stadium where they battle Berekum Arsenal.

Table toppers, New Edubiase will be eager to stroll to another success when they welcome Heart of Lions to the Gyemfis Park. Both sides won their opening matches.

The fierce contest at the Baba Yara Stadium between Asante Kotoko and AshantiGold tops the weekend's fixture pile as both sides renew their rivalry.

Kotoko fans don't like the Miners and the supporters of AshantiGold don't like the Porcupine Warriors. It's as simple as that ahead of the clash live on SuperSport at 6:15pm.

Ahead of their first home game of the season, Kotoko coach Maxwell Konadu says his side must to improve on their slow start.

"It's just the beginning of the season and we expect to improve as the season progresses," Konadu said.

Wa All Stars would be home to Tema Youth while Ebusua Dwarfs host Bechem United to the Robert Mensah Stadium to round up a busy Sunday.