Who ever believed that the fight for survival in this season’s Ghana Premier League will reach a dramatic climax, with three clubs separated by just one point heading into the final round of fixtures?
Medeama are now champions and teams that initially struggled for points at the start of the season, especially Bechem United and Berekum Chelsea, have already survived relegation. However, Hohoe United and Eleven Wonders are already destined for relegation, and now the attention has shifted to which particular will occupy the final relegation slot.
With only one game remaining, every point and goal could prove decisive, especially after Nations dropped points at home, surprisingly losing 1-0 to Vision FC in the penultimate game.
Final Day Fixtures:
Young Apostles FC vs FC Samartex
Asante Kotoko SC vs Swedru All Blacks
Karela United FC vs Nations FC
Now, Nations FC are facing the greatest pressure ever in the top-flight and I am sure their fans will even trade the FA Cup final for Premier League survival when given the opportunity. Among the three clubs fight to avoid the drop, Nations FC enter the final day in the most vulnerable position. Sitting one point behind both Young Apostles and Swedru All Blacks, they no longer have complete control over their destiny as it turns out that that opportunity is somewhere.
A draw in Tamale against Karela may not be enough, while defeat would almost certainly confirm their relegation. Even if they are able to grind victory against Karela United, it might not still guarantee survival for the Abrankese-based outfit if both of their direct rivals, Swedru All Blacks, Young Apostles and Vision FC, also secure wins. Moreover, the negative goal difference also places additional pressure on Frimpong Manso’s charges to not only chase three points but potentially improve their scoring margin if goal difference becomes decisive.
So, which club(s) have the advantage at this point? Swedru All Blacks, without a shred of doubt are entering the den of a wounded lion to face Asante Kotoko but still holds a slight advantage. They arguably hold the narrowest advantage due to their superior goal difference. However, their challenge is far from straightforward, with a difficult away fixture against giants Asante Kotoko SC at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
A draw could prove valuable, especially if Nations FC fail to win. Nevertheless, facing one of the league’s biggest clubs under pressure conditions makes this one of the toughest survival assignments of the weekend.
Young Apostles, on the other hand have home comfort and the number 12th man advantage in their supporters. They may feel slightly more confident heading into their encounter with reigning champions FC Samartex at the Wenchi Sports Complex. Just like last season, where they had to win on final day to survive, home advantage could play a major role this time around, and even a draw might ultimately secure safety depending on results elsewhere. However, Samartex remain a disciplined and dangerous side capable of punishing any complacency.
By just looking at the fixtures, one may conclude Nations FC appear the most likely side to suffer relegation due to their inferior points tally, inconsistence performance especially in away games and the dependence on other results. But, underrate them at your own risk.
Always remember that, all over the world of football, the final-day often produces unexpected twists, and with all three clubs still mathematically vulnerable, the relegation battle promises to deliver tension and lots of mechanisms until the final whistle.
