Kotoko, Hearts Set For Title Chase

11 Oct 2011 204 news, sports
The off-season wait is over and thankfully, the big kick-off in the Premier League is just hours away. Berekum Chelsea, the champions have far from rested on their laurels over the break as they look to make it a second successive title but face a fierce challenge from Medeama and AshantiGold. But the overlords of the Ghana league, Asante Kotoko and Heart of Oak, who share between them 41 titles and have seen their duopoly somehow threatened will also be in the reckoning for honours. Hearts of Oak travel to the Robert Mensah Stadium on Saturday to meet Berekum Arsenals, who are still serving a three-game home ban. Phobia coach, Nebojsa Vucicevic who has been under pressure to turn the corner will be hoping to beat the Gunners to earn a reprieve from the club's supporters. Steve Pollack's star-studded Chelsea side will start their title defence at the Accra Sports Stadium against Mighty Jets who escaped relegation last season. Jets are aware of the quality that Chelsea can even line up on their bench but would take a cue from the resilience shown by FC Nania, who beat the league champions to the Super Cup last Sunday. Asante Kotoko start the season with a trip to the Tema Park, a venue where they do struggle as they play Tema Youth. The Porcupine Warriors enter the game as favourites but could be left frustrated by the home side. Elsewhere it's all squad additions at Medeama where Bashir Hayford attempts to guide the Tarkwa side to the title. But they must first dispatch Wa All Stars when they welcome them at the Sekondi Sports Stadium. Liberty Professionals have not fared too well in the pre-season but are confident of starting off the campaign with a win when the take on Aduana Stars at the Carl Reindorf Park. AshantiGold's hopes of a fourth league title starts at the Len Clay Stadium with a game against Ebusua Dwarfs. Miners coach Zdravko Logarusic is aiming for the title after boasting that he possesses enough quality to annex the title. After picking four points from their opening five games last season, Logarusic is determined to improve on that start by getting off to a flyer. Newboys, Bechem United make their premiership bow at the Baba Yara Stadium when New Edubiase comes visiting. The Kpando Park will also see another league debutant, Wassaman, led by experienced coach Herbert Addo taking on Heart of Lions in their premiership opener.

Source: Ghanafa.org