Clubs bank on player value as season starts

Many subscribe to the view that millions can transform ordinary sides into title contenders overnight.

But the lessons of the previous season that saw Aduana FC stun the elite league in Ghana by lifting the coveted title on the final day in their debut season suggest that the chase for teamwork and value has rather taken over from huge spending by the Glo Premier League's big clubs.

As the country prepares for the weekend's big kick off involving 16 sides, the off-season recruitment has rather been on the quiet.

The focus would be on Aduana and rightly so after their maiden triumph. But pundits don't see the Dormaa-based team to annex the title again. They do possess a good coach in Herbert Addo but could be affected by the second season syndrome which engulfs most clubs after their debut campaigns. A top-four finish might even be difficult for Herbert to reach.

Notable big spenders, Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak after seeing the title elude them last season have taken to a different approach this season, with both changing their technical teams and embarking on low key signings.

Hearts of Oak have taken in Paa Kwesi Fabin, a coach placed on an indefinite leave that led to his departure from archrivals Kotoko to turn around their fortunes. Fabin might have won over the Phobian family instantly with the victory in the Top-4 competition where the club's latest signing, Osei Pele showed enough promise ahead of the new season.

The season is a long way to go as some fans have suggested to the former Kotoko coach after his charges failed to deliver in the SWAG Cup match that saw the Phobians lose to another title contender AshantiGold.

AshantiGold's outspoken coach David Duncan have sounded their intent to compete for the title after only missing it via the head-to-head to rule that enabled Aduana to claim their first title.

“We will compete as we have always done. We are always contenders but I don't know what happens as far as Ghana Football is concerned.

“A lot of things have to be done and I don't know where it will end up,” coach of the Miners, David Duncan said.