The 2010/2011 Glo Premier League reaches a crucial stage this weekend when the second round matches commence at all the league centers.
Both former champions Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, who struggled in the first round to place disappointing 9th and 12th positions with 18 and 19 points, are hoping to turn the scales in this second half of the league. The two clubs, apparently with the largest followers in Ghana, would be hoping to appease their fans when the second round begins on Sunday.
Kotoko have registered as many as 12 new players including former Asec of Cote d’Ivoire and Black Meteors striker Nafiu Iddrisu and Michael Akuffo of Gomoa Fetteh Feyernoord while Hearts welcome loan players, strikers Mahatma Otoo from Esperance of Tunisia and Eric Gawu from Israel.
The two sides would be counting on their new signings to bring some urgency and determination into their play in order to compete for the championship, which the Brong Ahafo teams are dominating.
Chelsea of Bechem, who are being bankrolled by business magnate and Chartered Accountant Emmanuel Kyeremeh, are set to continue their dominance in the premier league as they have a compact team made up of some exciting and experienced players. They include Bismarck Idan, Emmanuel Banahene, Obed Owusu, Abdul Basit, Alfred Arthur among others.
They could be cruising to their first silverware after regional rivals Aduana Stars won the premiership last season.
They have 32 points, seven clear of second-placed New Edubiasie and meet third from bottom Tudu Mighty Jets to the Berekum Golden City Park on Sunday.
Defending champions Aduana Stars, who are currently third with 24 points, Kessben Medeama who led the table at a point in time and Berekum Arsenals could also keep the pace on the league leaders as they have a chance to wrestle the league crown.
This makes the Brong Ahafo derby between defending champions Aduana Stars, who are third on the league ladder, and impressive Berekum Arsenals at the Agyemang Badu Park in Dormaa Ahenkro on Sunday a crucial one. Arsenals have shown lots of character lately, enabling them to garner 23 points and trailing their opponents by a point.
Thirteenth-placed Liberty Professionals, who have been a disappointment this season, signed on some new players including some old foes and would be counting on the exploits of the new signings, while debutants Jets, 14th on the ladder, would be hoping to survive in the tier one league.
Fifteenth and 16th-placed RTU and BA Stars could be in hot waters if they do not improve on their point build-up.