(Daniel Kenu, GNA Sports Desk)

Accra, Aug. 18, GNA - If the first round matches of the Kinapharma Premier League are anything to go by, then Ghanaian soccer fans will be in for a breathtaking second round schedule to kick-start on Saturday. The competition could even be keener at the top where Asante Kotoko lead the log on 35 points, one less than their arch rivals Hearts of Oak. Its no doubt that the success or otherwise of the two top clubs will depend largely on the so-called smaller clubs.

Disappointing though is the fact that apart from Arsenals, which occupy a surprise third spot on 29 points, the rest are struggling to close the gap at the top.

Liberty Professionals, tipped to give stiffer opposition to the two most glamorous teams -Hearts and Kotoko- are yet to rediscover the form that earned them the accolade the scientific lads. Since coach Jones Attuquayefio, former Head of the Technical team of the club left for greener pastures in neighbouring Benin, the team has slumped into recession such that ordinary Arsenals could even wallop them 3-0 in Berekum.

Kotoko's victory over the Dansoman-based lads a week after the Berekum debacle was not that surprising, rather it was the goal margin. Three goals to one, to a side, which was yearning to break a lonstanding jinx, was perhaps too much.

A first minute goal by Nana Arhin Duah dampened the spirit of the less experienced teenagers of Liberty such that even when they had the chance to fire back, they were not too sure which way to turn. Yet another disappointing side was Kpando Heart of Lions. They assumed the byword "giant killers" soon after that historic feat against Kotoko in their ninth-week encounter. As if beating Kotoko was a curse, the Lions were thrashed 1-3 by Hearts, drew 1-1 with Hasaacas and 2-2 with Goldfields at Kpando, which until the Kotoko victory had become a waterloo for visiting clubs.

The Nokia boys (King Faisal) are also yet to bounce back. They have not fared badly but Herbert Mensah is yet to reap his huge investment. The club is placed fifth on 23 points and perhaps their new expatriate coach (name not known) to replace Ralph Zundick would produce the magic wand at least to qualify the team to feature in the LG Top Four tournament.

Unpredictable Great Olympics have started scoring, timely enough to crash their opponents and to move from their present seventh position to a more respectable place at the end of the second round.

One time King of the Premier League Obuasi Goldfields, like Liberty, have had a stormy first round. After drawing with Hearts and Kotoko, their performance has been "on-and-off". The team, however, could cause havoc to any visiting club to Obuasi, especially with leading scorer Shaibu Yakubu and Cameroonian import Valentine Atem spearheading the attack.

One club, which has really impressed in the league, has been Okwawu United. Unfortunately, the soccer mountaineers are 11th on the table with just 14 points. They played one of the finest games against Kotoko in Accra with dangerman Elvis Opoku mesmerising the Kotoko defence. But if they really want to remain in the premiership then, they will have to translate their beautiful game into goals.

It is not over yet for the bottom clubs, for there are 15 more matches yet to be played and no one is safe.

Coming up on Sunday will be a reverse of last Sunday's matches; In Accra Hearts welcome Power, Olympics trek Koforidua as guest of Stay Cool, while B. A. United versus Okwawu at the Sunyani Coronation Park. King Faisal clash with Mine Stars in Kumasi, Lions lock horns with Goldfields at Obuasi, while Real Tamale United come face-to-face with Arsenals in Bolga.

Also coming up is the big game between Hasaacas and Kotoko in Sekondi Gyandu Park and on Saturday Liberty welcome Bofoakwa in Accra.