Premier League Sunday late-afternoon football makes its long-awaited return, as Nsoatreman provides Young Apostles with a stern test of their top-flight credentials at the Nana Konamansah Park.
The ‘Efiri Tete Amanaso’ are adjusting to life without FA Cup-winning coach Maxwell Konadu, while Apostles have top-four desires to fulfil after securing top flight football from the Division One League (DOL) last term.
Match Preview
As Yaw Preko prepares for season number one at the Nsoatreman helm, Sunday’s match will mark a maiden competitive game for new gaffer’ Joseph Asare Bediako as Young Apostles head coach, after 2023-24 Division One League (DOL) Zone One winning boss Abubakar Adams - who has since left the team to the Wenchi based side.
Some members of the Apostles faithful became disenchanted with Adams style towards the end of his reign as head coach anyway, as after leading the DOL back for months on end, a downturn in form nearly plunged Apostles automatic promotion hopes into serious jeopardy.
However, the 2023-24 DOL Zone One winners ultimately survived that late scare to pip Techiman Heroes 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout to the crown, securing promotion to the top flight league, before swapping Adams with ex-Berekum Chelsea boss Bediako.
Like Preko, the Apostles coach also oversaw a strong start to pre-season - racking up good wins in the DOL Super Cup and winning 8 out of their 11 pre-season games they played.
Nsoatreman are not expected to learn their possible punishment fate until 2025, though, and full focus now turns to their Sunday’s first meeting with Young Apostles, whom they have never played against in a competitive game.
Team News
Nsoatreman boss Preko has been laying down the law in pre-season, leading the lads through rigorous training sessions.
None of Preko’s lads are on the touch-and-go list, as he’s got a full house with no sign of injury being reported in their fold. However, all his newly signed players should be in line for their full ‘Efiri Tete Amanaso’ debut on Sunday afternoon.
Sticking with the attacking theme, Young Apostles haven't been dealt with any sign of injuries in camp as they also have all their charges in good shape and ready to unleash devastating damages on their host on Sunday.
Walid Fuseini Neymar - a tormentor to their opponents - will be left alone to do his thing on the pitch on Sunday.
While on the other end, chief defensive commander Sulemana Yahaya Abu should be a nailed-on starter against Nsoatreman in defense.
Nsoatreman possible starting lineup:
Afadzwu; Issaka, Sekyere, Shaibu, Acquaah; Iddrisu, Amoo, Neymar, Meider; Diyou, Rahman Mohammed
Young Apostles possible starting lineup:
Acheaw; Mensah, Quansah, Zakari, Nti; Gyamerah, Rahman, Hakim, Moftaw, Amanfo; Bawa
We say: Nsoatreman 3-0 Young Apostles
As Nsoatreman isn’t lacking any of their principle goal threats and were able to record good goals in their pre-season, those backing a Young Apostles clean sheet should be left with a frown on their face come full time.
The Wenchi based Young Apostles were exactly solid at the back in pre-season, but Asare Bediako’s men have a taste for goals and should subject their hosts to a harsh fisticuffs in their first competitive game against each other.
By: Pascal Amoah ©
