Hasaacas to threaten Kessben’s lead

Coach Basher Hayford's Kessben FC have been impressive all season, recording three wins out of a possible four, accounting for their current position at the apex of the league log in the four match old Glo Premier League.

Last weekend's win at home over Sekondi Eleven Wise, is a big motivating factor as they go to the Essipong Sports Stadium in search of a possible win to add up to their points build up. Kessben have so far excelled, playing some exciting football with striker Richard Mpong scoring an all season best of three goals, which is the more reason why they are where they are as league leaders.

But they face a big task of maintaining and hanging on to the top spot in their clash with a side that has not performed badly at all. Hasaacas occupy a respectable 8th position on the league table and just four points shy from Kessben's accumulated nine. They very much know how a win against Kwabena Kese's side, will not only fetch them the maximum points but will also inch them closer to the top of the league table.

They have in their fold, Joseph Ato Bissah, the leading goal scorer in this year's league. This alone sends some strong signals to Kessben that, they are no cheap side. Kessben latching on to the top spot, is certainly going to be difficult as the 'Giants of the West' have proved too difficult a nut to crack at home registering a win over Hearts of Lions in their second match and a draw with Hearts of Oak just last weekend.

David Duncan and his charges face an uphill task when they battle C.K Akunnor's Eleven Wise at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium. Ashgold are currently placed second on the league ladder with just two points, separating them and Kessben. A win over Wise and a convincing one for that matter, will see them steadily rise to the top. After last weekend's loss to Accra Great Olympics at the Ohene Djan Stadium, a crusade of a sort is what they need to return to winning ways. The Obuasi venue is one hostile atmosphere that takes more than ordinary and a lot of guts to win matches. With Wise's current shape, form and a present 13th standing in the league, nothing short of excellence is what they need.

Accra Hearts of Oak's worst start of the season is certainly no news. In previous seasons, it's hardly been good either, at least since the year 2000 when they ruled the rest of Africa. But season in season out, they managed to regain their confidence just when the inevitable was about to happen – a dip into the relegation zone. Their Egyptian Coach, whom they brought onboard, supposedly to do a better job than what Nii Noi Thompson and company at the time were offering, has failed woefully to provide the needed excitement the team's fans, management and Board so much desire.

Currently, the bottom placed team in the league, Hearts' encounter with new entrants Edubiase United at home, might just be the revival they have been seeking all season. Their refusal to opt out of Africa has not gone down well with a cross section of their fans and therefore, will not come as a surprise if they play in front of a virtually empty stadium.

Liberty Professionals, play as host of Kumasi Asante Kotoko in Accra. Kotoko's last engagement with Brekum Arsenal, which ended in a stalemate at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, is an indication to Coach Isaac Acquaye's side that after all their encounter with Kotoko, will just be one of those matches, the best team on the day wins . Liberty suffered a lone goal loss at Wa over the weekend to Maxwell Konadu's Wa All Stars and hopes to use the Accra match to revive their fortunes. Kotoko however, will be looking forward to go past liberty to increase their chances of becoming league leaders.

In other matches, the Golden City Park which most teams remember with disquiet, will witness the Brekum Arsenal against Accra Great Olympics clash while Real Tamale United, will stay at home to welcome another northern team, Wa All Stars at the Tamale Sports Stadium.

Kpando Hearts of Lions are favourites to get all three points at stake in their match against Brekum Chelsea as well as Alhaji Grunsah's King Faisal against Aduana Stars at the Baba Yara Stadium.

The league will go on a 10 day break to make way for Black Stars' last World Cup Qualifier against Mali on November 14th. It resumes on November 18th with match day six at all league centres.

Development / Ghana / Africa / Modernghana.com