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0 After 14 matchdays in the Ghana Premier League, the league is beginning to take a more concrete shape, with teams thrusting themselves in the title conversation while others cautiously thread.
3Sports takes a look at five talking points from matchday 14.
Kotoko back to maximum best
Four weeks ago, you would have completely written off Asante Kotoko and coach Prosper Ogum to overturn his side’s slump.
Kotoko lost four consecutive games in a row, with the team looking to have no answers to their problems as they struggled considerably for form and consistency. However, fans of the Porcupine Warriors are singing a new song.
Kotoko’s 2-1 victory over Dreams FC means they have won their last three games on the bounce, a feat they last achieved on matchday seven when they started the league in full force.
Much of their turnaround is down to Ogum, the coach of the side, who has made a lot of tactical tweaks and big calls.
In between the sticks, the coach opted to go for Camara instead of Fredrick Asare, and although Camara has had his flaws, in the Super Clash against Hearts of Oak, he pulled up some big saves. Additionally, the coach has slightly moved away from his accustomed four-at-the-back system, preferring to play three players at the back.
The managerial decisions are now yielding results as Kotoko find themselves in 4th position, just three points away from the league summit.
Hearts of Oak post-Super Clash win more than three points
Hearts of Oak beat Berekum Chelsea 3-1 on Friday night to usher in the weekend’s action. A positive result for Hearts after losing their last league game with the last kick of the game to Kotoko.
Ouattara sent out a statement with the win. But beyond the impressive win, Hearts of Oak will be hoping the victory is a springboard for greater success.
A confident Ouattara accentuated in his post-match conference how open the league is with 20 matches to go and the possibility of Hearts springing a surprise.
But do Hearts of Oak really have what it takes to win the league? Defensively, Hearts have an enviable backline to some large extent.
The heroics of goalkeeper Benjamin Asare and centre-back Osei Asibey have won them a lot of points. However, Asibey isn’t too far from a mistake, as showcased in the Super Clash.
And even if Asibey maintains his calmness and goes about his business with assuredness, the Phobians need Hamza Issah to be wracking up the goals.
Issah’s four goals are not enough for a team that genuinely wants to compete. He must look to throw himself into the mix a bit more.
League title all but slips from Samartex’s grasp
It wouldn’t be improbable, but it will require something significant for Samartex to defend their Ghana Premier League crown.
Already having an underwhelming season, the departure of their coach, Nurudeen Amadu, hasn’t helped their case.
For the first time since gaining promotion to the league two seasons ago, Samartex have lost four successive games in the league following their 1-0 loss to Bechem United.
It’s not looking good for Samartex, nor are their woes looking to end anytime soon.
Maybe the rise of the Timber Boys to win the league is the perfect definition of a nine-day wonder, a one-off in fact.
Unfortunately for neutrals, they’ll have to wait a bit longer to see another fairy tale story.
Samartex are completely off-colour and will be more than excited to catch a break. Samartex have 17 points, 10 points behind league leaders Heart of Lions.
Bashir Hayford working magic at Lions
12 months ago, when Bashir Hayford was appointed as Lions coach, his duty was mainly to steer the club to safety in the Ghana Premier League.
A year on, and he has completely changed the club’s fortunes. No longer do Lions look over their shoulder with the timidity or fear of the drop zone.
They look behind, aiming to consolidate their lead at the top of the league and increase their advantage.
Lions are top of the league and genuine contenders. It’s no fluke, and their title credentials are clear.
The technical team of the club—Bashir Hayford as coach and former Asante Kotoko midfielder Nii Adjei as assistant—are the leaders of the charge.
Both know what it feels like to win the league and how it feels.
It won’t be much of a surprise if Lions are still in the title mix by the end of the season.
Bechem mean business
The only thing Bechem United know how to do at this point is to win. Win, win, and win.
Bechem have won their last five league games, taking each game at a time and looking at themselves as they continue their surge in the league.
Their performances are more or less suggesting to any team in the league, especially table-toppers Lions, you can’t afford to slip up.
Any form of slip-up, and they are in. Bechem have won five on the bounce, conceding no goals in their last three games and scoring four. The real test will come in their first game of the new year when they face Heart of Lions.
The post Five talking points from matchday 14 of 2024/25 Ghana Premier League first appeared on 3News.
