Matchday 14 preview: Olympics-Kotoko set for exciting opener

There could not be a more interesting week opener than Great Olympics taking on Asante Kotoko as the Ghana Premier League enters matchday 14 this weekend.

The Porcupine Warriors are without a win in their last eight games in all competitions, including a 3-1 defeat to rivals Hearts of Oak in Ghana’s 60^thindependence anniversary match on Monday, and their dismissal of Croatian coach Zdravko Logarusic has yielded little result thus far.

Olympics, on the other hand, are trying to pick up the pieces from their poor start to the campaign, having only won one game on the pitch thus far. It will be just the second time coach Tom Strand and assistant Godwin Attram sit on the same bench after the unfortunate standoff following the former’s appointment last month.

All eyes, undoubtedly, will be on Saturday’s game at the Accra Sports Stadium as its outcome will surely leave a few subplots.

That said, the match between Aduana Stars and Berekum Chelsea will also attract a lot of interest as the two teams sit second and third respectively on the table. The game comes off at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park in Dormaa, home of the Fire Boys.

At the Malik Jabir Park, reigning champions Wa All Stars host Bechem United, who sit seventh on the table.

Ebusua Dwarfs are tipped to pick their fifth win of the season when they welcome 2014-15 champions but now bottom-placed Ashanti Gold.

Tema Youth, ninth on the table, are the best performing side among the newly-promoted teams. The Harbour City Boys, however, face a tough challenge in their away clash with wounded Liberty Professionals. The Scientific Soccer Lads have drawn five and lost one of their last six matches in all competitions.

Elsewhere, Medeama take on struggling Elmina Sharks at the Tarkwa T&A Park, while Inter Allies host new boys Bolga All Stars at the El-Wak Stadium.

While Saturday’s opener appears interesting, the week’s final match looks equally exciting as leaders Wafa play away to 20-time champions Hearts of Oak at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday.

In the form of their lives, the Academy Boys will do anything to protect their hold of the top spot, while Hearts are high in confidence following their emphatic victory over Kotoko. The Phobians also sit fourth on the table and three points will certainly do a lot for their title hopes.