Samartex and Hearts of Oak eye three points
Matchday 15 of the Ghana Premier League has already gotten off to an exciting start. Wins for leaders Heart of Lions and second-placed Asante Kotoko mean the Porcupine Warriors have now reduced the gap at the top to just three points.
However, with several teams yet to play, the standings could see significant changes by the end of match week 15. Four games will be played today, December 29, 2024, as the Ghana Football Association introduces Christmas fixtures, similar to the Premier League.
FC Samartex will be aiming for their first win in five games when they face Nations FC in Samreboi, having lost their last four matches. This poor run led to the dismissal of Nurudeen Amadu earlier this month. The club has since announced the appointment of Christopher Ennin, who will oversee his first game against fifth-placed Nations FC.
Nations FC’s impressive form this season could pose a tough challenge for Ennin and his team. Nevertheless, the defending champions have shown resilience in difficult situations. A win for Nations FC, who currently have 25 points, would move them to second place, just two points behind Heart of Lions. Meanwhile, a victory for Samartex could lift them to eighth place on the league table.
Hearts of Oak’s 3-1 win over Bechem United has given them the momentum to face Accra Lions. Lions’ poor form this season is likely to give Hearts of Oak some optimism. Accra Lions have managed just one win in their last ten games, drawing six and losing three. They currently sit in 16th place with 14 points, deep in the relegation zone.
Hearts of Oak’s solid away record, with only one loss in their last five outings, makes the Phobians favourites. Their recent 3-1 thrashing of Berekum Chelsea means they have now won four of their last six games. The game at the Legon Sports Stadium presents an opportunity for both teams to secure maximum points. Hearts, in sixth place, could close the gap to five points at the top with a win, while Accra Lions would move out of the relegation zone with a victory.
Dreams FC’s fortunes have sharply declined. From competing in the CAF Confederation Cup a season ago, they are now battling relegation in the 2024/25 season. Dreams sit in 17th place with just 12 points, having won only two league games and lost six. A trip to the Golden City Park, where they last won in 2022, will be tough against a Berekum Chelsea side looking to bounce back.
Berekum Chelsea, sitting in 8th place, have also struggled recently, securing just one win in their last five games, with three losses and one draw. They will look to use a struggling Dreams FC to regain momentum. Chelsea’s strong home record, with just one loss in their last ten games, could give them confidence. Past encounters also favour Chelsea, who have won three of the last five meetings between the two sides, including a 3-2 victory at the Golden City Park.
The final game of the round will see Karela United host newly-promoted Vision FC at the Naa Sheriga Sports Complex. Both teams have struggled this season, with Vision FC losing three of their last five games. They sit in 12th place with 15 points, just two above Karela United, who are in 15th with a game in hand.
It promises to be a weekend of exciting and competitive fixtures as all teams chase the precious three points. All games kick off simultaneously at 3 p.m. today, December 29, 2024.
FKA/BB
