AN EXPLOSIVE START IS EXPECTED FROM THE LEAGUE It once dominated the airwaves, dominated local gossip, elicited strong passions, had the power to turn friends into enemies and had all football fans sitting at the edge of their seats. Nii Ayiteh Tetteh previews the new Premier League season.   

However just on the eve of the commencement of the 2008/2009 season, come the rather disturbing news that the regular sponsors, One Touch, have been stripped of their rights as title sponsors because they could not fulfill their commitment in advancing 40% of the sponsorship amount of US$2.5 million.

This however does not water down the excitement and expectation if you are fan, though the 16 teams would be ruing the lost opportunity to have boosted their accounts.

So let's shake off the disappointment and get out of the dressing room unto the pitch for inspection and subsequently kick-off.

Inspection of  teams

So as the teams line up to stake their claim to the league trophy, and officials do their routine inspection, 4 teams would clearly stand out of the pack.

Asante Kotoko

Like an express train, Kotoko were simply unstoppable last season. Ex-coach Bashir Hayford put together an exciting team which combined style with efficiency winning their 21st League title p in flamboyant fashion.

Eric Bekoe, Jordan Opoku, Harrison Afful, and Samuel Inkoom lit up the championship with fine performances.

However some of these actors would not be around when action kick stars. Exit coach Bashir Hayford who fell out with the club after an abortive campaign in the Caf Confederation Cup.

Enter the vastly experienced Belgian Maurice Cooreman, the man who guided Eyimba to win back to back African Champions League trophies.

He is expected to fix technical deficiencies identified last season. The playing squad itself has been bolstered by the signing of Louis Agyeman(still awaiting clearance), ex AshantiGold hitman Alex Asamoah, and Agyeman Badu.

Kotoko are clearly odds on favourite for the title. You would not want to bet against them having another fabulous season would you?

Liberty Professionals:

Until lifting the just ended Top Four competition, Liberty Professionals, who have always flattered to deceive, have never been considered real challengers for the title.

Their exquisite display in the top four, beating Kotoko twice even at the dreaded Baba Yara stadium bears ample testimony of a club finally coming of age.

Liberty will be going into the season with new self belief backed by exciting perfomers like Yaw Antwi, Sam Ayew Yeboah and Latif Salifu.

Coach Jones Attuquayfio at the helm of affairs adds extra credibility to their challenge. All make way as the scientific soccer lads unveil the winning formula.  Continued    Source: ghanasoccernet.com - Ghana Soccernet