Ghapoha, Maxbees, Adansiman all risk relegation

One down, one more to go. It's survival time for the struggling clubs in football's elite competition this weekend as the checked flag is waved on the trouble-plagued Star

Premier League. And certainly a lot of drama is in store in these deciding encounters as the focus shifts from the big guns to which club joins Kwaebibirem United to division one football.

Perhaps the football regulatory body needs to dispatch a lot of paramedics to these centres to avoid casualties that may arise from among fans who may develop hypertension at seeing their beloved clubs condemned to relegation.

Asuom's two-year romance with the premiership ended with King Faisal's stunning 1-0 victory last Sunday and now the fate of Maxbees, Ghapoha, RTU and Adansiman hang rather precariously. All these struggling sides, except Ghapoha, have territorial advantage in a last ditch attempt to retain their premiership status as they encounter clubs effectively secure in the competition.

But the intrigues associated with such deciding games make no side any safer until the final whistle.

Last year, Hearts of Oak gifted Dawu Youngsters three 'free' points by refusing to honour an away tie and thus ensured their survival. Ironically, the champagne popping Phobians find themselves in a similar situation, but given the repercussions of any such action again, Hearts are unlikely to play Father Christmas on Sunday.

Maxbees' late efforts have been paying dividends and at Koforidua they will have the crowd behind them as they make a desperate bid to upset the uncrowned champions.

Adansiman's desperate effort to hang on in the elite division now lies in the hands of Bofoakwa Tano and, somehow, Dawu. That should be good news as they need a win against a side yet to record an away victory, and then hope Ghapoha lose to Dawu.

Bofoakwa have little to lose in the game except for pride, but the three points at stake look a remote possibility for the Sunyani lads, especially at the Len Clay Stadium, which has become a waterloo for most visitors.

This is not the time to play away, especially at the dreaded Dawu stadium. This is the predicament of Ghapoha who need nothing short of victory at a field that has been a banana peel for big name clubs including Asante Kotoko. Ghapoha's surprise loss to Arsenals last Sunday means they must conjure some magic to win at all cost against Seth Yeboah's charges who have lost just one home game in the second round.

Unless the unexpected happens Ghapoha could leave Dawu miserable, especially given the impressive form they have displayed at home lately. But football is full of surprises and we just have to wait and keep our fingers crossed.

Real Tamale United look the least expected to fall victim to relegation. That surely will derail football development up North. Kaladan Park has not been fertile grounds for visiting teams in search of three valuable points, and at a time RTU's fate hangs in the balance, not even the uninitiated in the sport will boldly predict an upset, especially as the opponent is none other than Goldfields who have a poor away record. This must be a blessing for the Tamale lads who are unbeaten at home this season.

Anyone who takes Alhaji Grunsah lightly does so at his own peril. When relegation began staring them in the face he vowed to beat the odds and week after week Faisal have picked valuable points to move steadily out of imminent danger.

After upsetting Kwaebibirem at Asuom, Faisal needs just a point at the expense of Sekondi Hasaacas to survive. This does not look a big task for a side that has proved a hard nut for even the big clubs to crack at the Kumasi stadium, and Hasaacas are unlikely to be any luckier in Faisal's most desperate moment.

Win or lose Great Olympics are out of danger. After carefully negotiating the relegation curve, the Wonder Club can pop champagne to celebrate another narrow escape at home where they play relegated Kwaebibirem.

Olympics have been very impressive in the second round and lost just one match and the odds heavily weigh against the league bottom club.

At the Berekum Coronation Park, Arsenals should crown an impressive debut in the elite division with victory over Okwawu United.

At the Accra Stadium tomorrow Liberty Professionals hope to complete Kotoko’s miserable visits to the nation’s capital with a vital home win.

The Porcupine Warriors will definitely draw the crowd to the stadium on a mission to redeem their image after failing to win a league match in Accra this season.