Former Asante Kotoko midfielder Michael Akuffo has revealed his long-term ambition to coach his former club, but says his immediate focus is on developing young talent as he begins his coaching journey.
Bechem United will be eager to restore their dominance at home when they welcome regional rivals Berekum Chelsea to the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park on Sunday, April 20, in a highly anticipated Bono derby on matchday 28 of the Ghana Premier League.
The Hunters are reeling from a rare 2-0 home defeat to Gold Stars FC last Wednesday—their first loss at home this season—which brought an end to an impressive unbeaten streak in front of their home fans. That setback saw Osei Wire’s side drop to 8th on the league table with 40 points from 27 matches. However, with top-four hopes still alive, Bechem will look to bounce back in style in one of the fiercest regional duels on the Ghanaian football calendar.
Bechem United have been dominant at home this season, amassing 29 points from 13 matches. Despite a recent dip in form—winning just once in their last five league outings (W1, D1, L3)—they remain a formidable side at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park, where their defensive discipline and tactical organization have often frustrated visiting teams.
Their opponents, Berekum Chelsea, arrive with similar ambitions but face a tougher task away from home. The Blues sit just one point behind Bechem in 9th position with 39 points and have also endured inconsistent form in recent weeks (W1, D2, L2). While their home displays have kept them competitive, they’ve found it difficult to replicate that form on the road.
Berekum Chelsea’s away-day struggles are compounded by their poor record in Bechem. Since the 2020/21 season, they have faced the Hunters four times at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park without a single win—losing three and drawing once. Bechem recorded 2-0 wins over Chelsea in the 2020/21, 2022/23, and 2023/24 seasons, while their 2021/22 encounter ended 1-1.
With both teams desperate for points to stay in the top-half race, and with local bragging rights on the line, Sunday’s showdown promises to be a fiery and closely fought contest. Bechem will rely on their home strength and derby experience, while Berekum Chelsea will look to upset the odds and end their Bechem hoodoo.
Bechem United Starting XI
Aziz (GK) (C); Abban, Acheampong, Acquah, Alhassan, Asabre, London, Nyarko, Regain, Tompuo, Yeboah
Berekum Chelsea Starting XI
Sekyere (GK); Abaidoo, Acheampong, Afriyie, Amankonah, Ameyaw, Asamoah, Z. Fuseini (C), Awuah, Badori, Seidu
Kickoff Time: Sunday, April 20, 2025 – 3:00 PM GMT
Venue: Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park, Bechem
We say: Bechem United 2-1 Berekum Chelsea
(Bechem’s strong home record and historical dominance in the derby give them the edge.)
Bibiani Goldstars can extend their Premier League lead to 5 points on Sunday afternoon when they host fifth of the table Medeama SC at the Dunns Park.
Dreams FC are aiming to bounce back from their two-game losing streak on Sunday when they host Vision FC in the Premier League.
Basake Holy Stars are aiming to pile more misery on relegation-threatened Legon Cities this Sunday when they welcome the Royals to AAK II Sports Arena, Ampain in a Matchweek 28 fixture.
The Holy Stars have won three of their last ten matches in the topflight as they continue their recovery from a slow start to the campaign.
Abdulai Gazale's side will be strong favourites for Sunday's clash with struggling Legon Cities but their inconsistent home record gives the Royals a glimmer of hope.
Match Preview
Holy Stars are twelfth in the table with 33 points when it comes to results, while Legon Cities slumbers away in 17th on 25 points.
Cities are looking to exploit any uncertainty but have shown few signs suggesting they're capable of staging a surprise triumph on Sunday. They have not won away from home in the league and have now been cut four points adrift from safety after three defeats from their last seven in the competition.
Basake Holy Stars possible starting lineup (3-4-2-1):
Abubakar (GK); Boadi (C), Aboagye, Agyei, Asante, Author, Ibrahim, Kwame, Oteng, Tweneboah, Yakubu
Legon Cities possible starting lineup (4-2-3-1):
Kumah (GK), Adjei, Agyemang, Akoto (C), Amoah, Fuseini, Gyamfi, Gyesi, Manu, Quagraine, Suraje
We say: Basake Holy Stars 2-0 Legon Cities
Cities will have few expectations heading to the Western North given their bad performance and mounting crisis. Even Holy Stars' iffy home record in the league is unlikely to offer them the sufficient confidence boost required to upset the odds.
Holy Stars have been largely solid at the back in the campaign and are unlikely to be troubled by Cities goal-shy front line.
Kickoff for this match is scheduled at 15:00 GMT.
By: Pascal Amoah
Newcomers Young Apostles will host defending champions FC Samartex 1996 at the Wenchi Sports Stadium on Sunday, April 20, in a high-stakes Week 28 clash of the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League season.
