Two new era’s begin at Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex on Saturday late-afternoon, when Vision FC and Berekum Chelsea begin their respective Ghana Premier League campaigns in the 3.00pm kickoff.
As the ‘Ewoo’ Boys prepare to kickstart their maiden appearance in the top flight of Ghana football, the Bibires gear up to face the Tema-based side in their first competitive meeting.
Match Preview
A penny for Samuel Boadu thoughts as B. Chelsea were given the first 3.00pm kickoff of the new season - the experienced tactician might had a bone to pick with the fixture organisers when his side were given the early slot - but he can now kick back and rallies his troops in Saturday's contest as they aim to take off on a flying start.
Nevertheless, ex-Black Starlets boss Nana Kwaku Agyemang - whom guided the Ghana National U17 side to a fourth placed finish in the WAFU Zone B Championship held in Ghana - will be guiding the ‘Ewoo’ Boys in the GPL this season, stepping into the role previously held by Hamza Obeng, who successfully guided the club to a historic promotion to the top flight. and the new coach bounce was seemingly in full effect in pre-season as he teamed up with assistant handler Obeng - a former Hearts of Oak assistant coach, does not possess the necessary qualifications to lead the team in the GPL.
While Nana Kwaku Agyemang has already signed a few lads this summer, the same cannot be said of B. Chelsea’s transfer gurus as impatient Bibires fans are awaiting what the team will come off as the season rolls out this weekend.
In stark, many a new face has filtered in through the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex doors following Vision FC’s first successive promotion, as the 2022-23 Division One League Zone III winners came within a whisker of piping Uncle T FC 2-1 to Division One glory last season with just a game to spare as they confirmed their promotion to the Ghanaian top-flight league for the first time.
A first-placed ranking in DOL Zone III was sufficient to propel the ‘Ewoo’ into the top flight, after almost a decade of competing in the lower tiers.
Team News
Nana Kwaku Agyemang have all of his troops available for their Premier League baptism, as the former Adenta United and Progen FC gaffer is charged to bomb down the Premier League.
Kyei Baffour, Nicholas Mensah and Issah Akuka are nailed-on starters for Vision FC.
On the other hand, the Bibires medical team aren’t nursing any players as all lads are back to full health.
No fewer than 8 new players have arrived at Golden City Park on permanent deals this summer, and at least a handful should come straight into the first XI here.
Vision FC possible starting lineup: Lotsa; Teyechu, Sam-An Mohammed, Akuka, Ganiyu; Mensah, K. Appiah, Addai, Kusi Asante; Baffour, Offei.
Berekum Chelsea possible starting lineup: Adu; Zackaria, Dankwah, Adams, Oppong; Kongoza, Asoma, Ameyaw, Ansu; Afriyie, Pandrous.
We say: Vision FC 1-2 Berekum Chelsea
Vision FC switching to a three-man central defensive shape in order to stifle Samuel Boadu’s B. Chelsea is not beyond the realm of possibility, but the full-strength Bibires are sure to wear down their hosts' backline eventually.
While Nana Kwaku Agyemang's men should still keep the scoreline respectable, having demonstrated their defensive prowess in pre-season, we can only envisage B. Chelsea heading back up to Bono with their first three points of the new campaign.
By: Pascal Amoah
