4 THINGS WE LEARNED ON MATCH DAY 23 OF THE FIRST CAPITAL PLUS BANK PREMIER LEAGUE.

4 THINGS WE LEARNED ON MATCH DAY 23 OF THE FIRST CAPITAL PLUS BANK 

PREMIER LEAGUE.

1. Hearts of Oak, all hands on deck now.

Continental clubs masters, Accra Hearts of Oak saw off their counterpart Hearts of Lions at the Cape Coast stadium on match day 23 in a grand style. Hearts were given one match ban by the FA for indiscipline acts shown in their fixture against Hasaacas.

Going into this match, Hearts were 14th on the league log with 26 points. There was everything to play for in this fixture. Lions on the other hand were also battling for a proper stand on the league table and were willing to throw everything in to win this clash. A lose will drop them back into the relegation zone. Fortunately for them, Hearts were playing away from their favourite grounds so they needed to take advantage of that.

Heart of Lions were left stunned as they picked 4 balls from the back of their nets in the first half. It took Selasi Adjei as early as sixth minutes to put Hearts in front, followed by Togolese international, Foovi Aguidi with a brace and Eric Kumi finishing the day with the fourth goal.

Many journalists and even a section of their supporters were very much surprised at the score line pending their poor run of results chalked in this season’s ongoing league. The last time they won by the same huge margin was back in 8th May,2013. They defeated R.T.U in Tamale by four goals to nil (Gilbert Fiamenyo and Mahatma Otto scored the goals). We could attribute this impressive display by the players to the presence of former management and board members who were at the Cape Coast stadium. Alhaji Hearts, Nii Ayi Bonte (Thomas Okine), Harry Zakkor and other members whose presence seemed to have awaken the never say die spirit from its slumber. Reports gathered after the match has it that, the players received a four thousand Ghana cedis right on the field by former board member Thomas Okine. Is an all inclusive affair now, hands and thoughts put together to help bring back the glory days. Is that the current board and management members can't handle situations like this ? Well, the subsequent matches will show if indeed the tables are being turned around in their favour.

2. Berekum Chelsea, now a real title contenders.

Having slaughtered Kumasi Asante Kotoko 0-3 at their backyard  Baba Yara stadium, a strong signal is being sent to league leaders Ashanti Gold that the league is not yet wrapped up as pundits seems to be making a case for them.

Chelsea are enjoying a purple patch as they have three wins in their last three matches,nine out of nine points. They are also yet to taste a defeat in their last 5 matches, since week 19. Chelsea have had it own problems since the start of the league and were deducted points and declared losers in every match played by the FA for failing to observe certain financial obligations in the sale of Solomn Asante to TP Mazembe. Until the issues were resolved, they were bottom on the league table and now a real title force, posing threats to league leaders Ashanti Gold.

Chelsea is the highest goal scoring club with 32 goals. Forward Kofi Owusu and attacking midfielder Stephen Baffour has scored more than 15 goals between them and are the best pair so far in the league. With the steam Chelsea is gathering whiles Ashgold are taking their foot off the pedal, the league could go down to the wire. If things stays the same as it is, Chelsea will presumably have the last laugh as they will be welcoming the league leaders Ashgold to the golden city park.

3. Ashanti Gold, almost a state of déjà vu.

If there is one memory Ashanti Gold football club wouldn't wish happening once again, then it will be the league loss in 2009. A painful  scenario and a heart braking feeling, losing a league title after leading the league for most part of the season and no other than a new entrant Aduana FC, who is yet to find its rhythm in the league.

CEO Kwadwo Fiano who was speaking to Nhyira Power Sports host Bright Kankam Boadu last week said they lost the league in 2009 because they had their eyes only fixed on Hearts of Oak which made Aduana took them by surprise. He also said that they are  leaving no stone unturn as their eyes are widely open this time around.

But 2009 league season mood seems to be happening. They have four points out of a possible 9 in their last three matches. This is  really causing a stir at Obuasi. Reports gathered around Obuasi after their goalless draw with New Edubiase indicates the supporters were so furious with the team and coach Bash as affectionately called. A feat they would wish not happening. This is the time coach Bashiru Hayford have to prove critics wrong for his hugely criticized second round league matches. With seven matches to go, the onus lies on them to pick up the pieces from where they have left it as they have a second round match to play with second placed Berekum Chelsea who have cut their lead to just two points.

4. Weekly away goals, a problem.

Week 23 matches ended across various centers producing 14 goals as in week 1, 3 & 14. One problem in the league is, visiting clubs has failed to whack in the goals on weekly basis despite having more  100 goals in total.

From week 1 to week 23, no week has produced up to 10 and more goals. This is very frightening I should say. The highest weekly goals recorded are 8 goals, recorded in week 2, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 22. The lowest goals recorded is 1. Week 1 and week 23 has produced the lowest goals, 1 each, followed by week 4 and 13 with 2 goals. Week 5, 12 & 20 has also produced 3 goals. Are the strikers missing their spots when they travel away from home. Are they frightened by the supporters or they fail to travel along with their scoring boots. The said issue could be true as the leading goal scorer who has 15 goals, Nathaniel Ohene Asamoah has failed to score in more than 5 outings now.