WAFA, RTU, Eleven Wonders, Dreams and King Faisal are embroiled in an almighty scrap to stay in the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League - but which teams will stay up as Elmina Sharks has already been shown the pecking orders?
The battle for Premier League survival and status continues - but which of the contenders are best placed to avoid the drop?
Accra Lions moved even further clear of the drop zone after a 2-0 victory over Berekum Chelsea last weekend, while WAFA gave their survival chances a massive boost against a fellow relegation entangled rival, Gold Stars, on Sunday with a 4-3 comeback win in Bibiani, leaving them from annexing three points from safety.
Shaibu Tanko’s side are dropping like a sambisa stone, losing two of their last five games, and although they still have two games in hand on one of the five sides infested with relegation bugs, King Faisal on Sunday in Tamale, they have arguably the toughest run-in of the second round as they have intensely struggled throughout with some financial problematic rumors flaring in their fold - as they have little grounds for optimism they will upset wounded Hearts of Oak side in their last game of the season in the nation’s capital.
Last weekend, King Faisal eased their relegation fears with a dramatic 1-0 win over Hearts of Oak, which they previously snatched a 1-1 draw at home against Great Olympics on match-week 31, but Dreams win over AshGold means they surged up to fourteenth - three points clear of the relegation zone.
Eleven Wonders look doomed, two points adrift of safety with two games left to play while Accra Lions have pulled away from trouble after their emphatic win against Berekum Chelsea in Accra. Here, we take a look at the key fixtures as the relegation picture hots up.
WAFA
The Academy Boys are poised to maintain their GPL status this year with two games to the end of the season.
WAFA started the 2021/22 where they have quite struggled, especially in the second round and have remained fairly an easy meat to prey-on throughout the entire season. They have been very unimpressive all season long, continuously falling out of the ranks of the top teams on the log and downtrodden like a deadpan into the relegation column.
After beating Bibiani Gold Stars 4-3 at Dun’s Park, they now face another one home game on the trot with fellow strugglers Eleven Wonders on Sunday June 12, before visiting fourth-placed Karela United on the final day.
Position:17th
Games played: 32
Points: 32
Current form: WDDLDL
Next fixture: Wonders (h)
RTU
RTU third draw in five games, last weekend 5-1 defeat at Karela pushed them downward gazing distance of Ghana Premier League safety. They play King Faisal before a trip to inconsistent Hearts of Oak in Accra.
They must also play on tenterhooks, knowing vividly that if the clubs caught up in the relegation fight picked up points on Sunday, the Pride of the North’s survival could hinge on dogfights against the Phobians (away) in their last game of the season.
Position: 16th
Games played: 32
Points: 35
Current form: LDLDDW
Next fixture: K. Faisal (h)
Eleven Wonders
Wonders edged two points closer to safety on Sunday after being able to beat Hearts of Oak 2-1 at their home turf in Techiman.
Their next match against WAFA (away) could prove pivotal. They might not need to hit the magical 40-point mark, but with fixtures against Aduana still to come they cannot afford to lose hard-earned momentum.
Position: 15th
Games played: 32
Points: 37
Current form: WDDLWD
Next fixture: WAFA (a)
Dreams FC
Dreams would be one of the Ghaba Premier League's interesting casualties if they were to lose top-flight status for the first time after emerging winners of Zone 3 in the Division One League to qualify to the premier division in 2015, and since Ignatius Osei-Fosu’s arrival it has gone as planned, with two defeats in seven league games.
Dreams remain just two place above the drop zone and with the cushion to the bottom three now down to a point, they have the daunting task of Berekum Chelsea to face at Golden City Park next up.
The Still Believe’ face arguably the toughest run-in fixture on last-day at home against second-spot-chasing Medeama Sporting Club.
Position: 14th
Games played: 32
Points: 38
Current form: WDDLDL
Next fixture: B. Chelsea (a)
King Faisal
King Faisal have escaped relegation more than once but scoring at the 90+5 minutes against Hearts of Oak, with a four-point gap to safety looming after a two win, two draw and one defeat, it appeared it is not game over for Alhaji Grunsah and his Insha Allahu side.
Position: 13th
Games played: 32
Points: 39
Next fixture: RTU (a)
Current form: WDDWLD
By: Pascal Nii Gogo Amoah/Kickgh.com®
