The Premier soccer league of Ghana is resuming this weekend after a short disruption by a Jehovah Witness International convention that took over three major sports stadiums in Accra, Kumasi and Sekondi. Football fans were not particularly enthused that a religious sect perceived to have no respect for state authority of the national flag should be allowed the use of sate property and in the process disrupting a national programme.

Luckily, the expected aggressive discussion on this topic was muted in the media thanks to the worldwide focus on the draw for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa; the nation was saved from a possible religious war of words in the media.  Now that the experts have finished their analysis of the World Cup fixtures the domestic competitions are back on focus.

In Ghana, there is a silent cry to halt the duo monopoly of the league by Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak. The prayers seem to be answered because for the first time in history, the two pace- setters of the league are performing extremely below form. In the past, it was either Kotoko or Hearts that slipped badly in a season. This time round both of them are amazingly struggling at the bottom rungs of the table with ten points apiece from a possible 24 points. The future could be bleak for them if the trend continues.

Incidentally, the resumption of the league this weekend will see the two dozing giants Hearts and Kotoko clashing at the Ohene Djan Stadium. The records will tell you the outcome of matches between these two giants of Ghana football never follow any form guide. This means that no matter which side is in top form, you cannot predict the outcome. The snag is that this time neither of them is in any form worth writing home about and one wonders what class of game they would put up. These two well-known hitherto crowd pullers are only basking in past glory.  Football historians are worried that the only two Ghanaian clubs with continental honours should now look so ordinary. They have ceased to attract the flock and the evidence is the empty seats at their matches these days.

There is an apparent dearth of talented players and the worried managements of both teams are reported to be working around the clock to revamp the side sooner than later. While we wait for the revival of the pace setters, their noisy supporters may like to prove which of them are the more loyal by filling the stands at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium on Sunday to cheer on their favourites to victory. If Kotoko and Hearts in their current form are able to sell a full house on Sunday, it would go to confirm to the pretenders that they still possess the magic to move Ghana football forward.

Meanwhile, the new league leaders, Kessben, will travel to Dormaa Ahenkro to face premier league debutants Aduana Stars in the other top attraction of the week. Another debutant New Edubiase will face Bechem Chelsea at Edubiase and King Faisal will also welcome the rejuvenated Great Olympics to the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.The other pairings with their peculiar attractions are Liberty v Berekum Arsenal; Kpando Heart of Lions Sekondi Hasaacas v Wa All Stars.

These are the 9^th week fixtures and the remaining six to end the first round would have to be rushed through to give attention to the Black Stars participation in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations showpiece in Angola.

Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.

FROM MY ARCHIVES

Dec 8 1997: Brazil’s World Cup winning strike twins Bebeto and Romario teamed up again to lead Brazil to a 2-1 win over South Africa in a friendly international match in Johannesburg.