Enoch Fiifi Forson @Efson_ on Twitter
The final lap to bring the curtain down on what has been an action packed 2014/2015 First Capital Plus Premier League season filled with surprises, unexpected twists and turns has dawned on faithful FCPPL supporters with yet one more twist and some murky relegation mathematics to be untangled at the eleventh hour as at least six teams find themselves embroiled in must win games in a bid to avoid being the two teams to accompany already relegated BA United into the wilderness of Division One soccer.
With the ultimate prize securely in the grips of AshantiGold with a game to spare, the battle for survival remains far from over - heading right down to the wire and the final blast of a referee's whistle on the last match day of the season as eight clubs, including WAFA, Heart of Lions, Asante Kotoko, Hasaacas, Edubiase, Medeama, Bechem United plus Gt. Olympics remain mathematically susceptible to the 'drop' and can be bounced out depending on the outcome of their respective matches.
Most intriguing of the weekend's pairings is certainly the desperate survival clash between Edubiase and Heart of Lions with the winner guaranteed a stay and the loser likely taking a nosedive into the terrifying and labor-intensive Division one league scene. Dethroned champions Asante kotoko, must put up a winning performance against Aduana to survive, and in the only derby clash of the last round fixtures, BA United will once again try to play spoilers on the away front where they have been beyond abysmal - this time to Bechem's survival hopes.
Elsewhere WAFA will entertain Hearts who are unbeaten in their last 4 appearances, and then there is Medeama, Berekum Chelsea and Liberty hosting Inter-Allies, Wa All Stars and Hasaacas respectively.
The coronation of the FCPPL 2014/15 champions will be at the Accra sports stadium where AshantiGold regardless of the outcome of their game against Olympics will be handed the coveted trophy.
The premier league board has ordered that all games kick-off simultaneously at 3:15 pm.
New Edubiase v. Heart of Lions - Obuasi
City of premier league champions and adopted venue of Edubiase, Obuasi will be agog as 9th placed and relegation threatened Lions visit 12th and equally threatened Edubiase in a feisty encounter which will determine the fate of the two clubs.
Edubiase needs nothing less than a victory to guarantee their survival whereas Lions just might survive with a point though an outright victory will seal their survival.
The Lions took full advantage of home court when Edubiase paid them a visit in the first round by posting a convincing 2-0 victory but this time the honors of playing at home lie on the door step of Edubiase and considering they have lost only once in 14 games at home, the Bekwai based club stand a huge chance of picking the maximum points on Sunday.
Hosts - Edubiase have 39 points from 29 games and have a win and a draw from their last two outings whilst their guests are 8th with 40 points from 29 and are riding a two game home winning run but they have an awful record on the road which Edubiase just might be able to take advantage of.
Asante Kotoko v. Aduana Stars - Kumasi
Asante kotoko whose reign as Champions ended on match day 29 will come up against their nemesis Aduana in a bid to save themselves from embarrassment and public ridicule with a victory.
Kotoko were docked six points for fielding a supposedly unqualified player in the person of Obed Owusu in their week 25 clash against Hearts of Oak and it took a last-gasp goal from Eric Donkor on their last match day to keep their survival hopes intact.
Aduana on the other hand have lost their quest for the coveted title but are in contention for second place. Aduana, I must admit fell short in their quest largely because of their inability to close out the deal in their last 3 outings; settling for 2 ties at home and a loss on the road - 2points out of 9 and winning just two games on the away front at lowly BA United and Olympics over the course of the entire season.
Kotoko can draw inspiration from the fact that Aduana is yet to win at the Baba Yara stadium after five attempts but they should be wary as they have won just three of their 11 meetings against the Brong Ahafo giants - 4 defeats and 4 draws. Both met in the last round of last season and Aduana who at that time were in Kotoko’s current situation won 2-0 at home.
Medeama SC v. Inter Allies - Tarkwa
The might of MTN FA Cup winners, Medeama will be tested by Inter-Allies when the two sides clash in what is a must win game for the ‘yellow and mauves’.
Allies have enjoyed a pleasant campaign and will be anxious to end it on a positive note while Medeama are a place above the bottom three after their 2-0 defeat at Wa, and anything less than a win will see them kiss goodbye to the elite division.
Medeama defied the odds without star striker Nathanial Asamoah to beat Kotoko to the FA cup and on Sunday will be required replicate the same success without him.
The nature of the pairings and 'relegation mathematics' though somewhat murky indicates that Berekum Chelsea and Wa All Stars are safe with wonder club Gt. Olympics in need of some huge help from the soccer gods of the land to endure.
Liberty Professionals v. Sekondi Hasaacas - Dansoman
Hasaacas have a mountainous task if they desire a successful result in the nest of Liberty on Sunday. 1-0, Hasaacas lost to kotoko on match day 29 and a defeat may see them off. Liberty following their three successive victories against All Stars Inter Allies and BA have shot into the top four and they might fancy another victory against Hasaacas who are bad travelers. The Sekondi based club have a single win away out of 14 tries.
This is a must win game and perhaps Hasaacas' last chance at survival in the premiership and they must come up with one of their best performances yet on the away front against a resilient Liberty side to crack open the door to safety.
Hasaacas have 39 points and occupy the 11th position compared to Liberty who sit comfortably among the elites with 43 points.
Four wins each for both clubs in the last 11 meetings.
Great Olympics v. Ashanti Gold - Accra
Win or lose, AshGold will be honored after their game against Olympics at the Accra sports stadium, and 'The Miners' will surely like to cap off a successful season with another win as well as put a smile on the faces of their fans who make the trip down south to witness their coronation.
Their opponents Olympics, sitting last but one with 37 points, are as it stands candidates to be relegated after dropping points at Lions unless they claim the maximum points and pray the 'soccer gods' for a slip from one of the teams ahead of them.
Olympics didn't start the season brightly but getting to the latter end of the first round they upped their performance. They went unbeaten in six games, subsequently moving to the 6th spot before a series of defeats after the break plunged them into the trouble zone.
And though Olympics have lost only one in eight games, a possible demotion stares them in the face with their destiny riding in their own hands.
AshGold defeated WAFA 1-0 courtesy of Emmanuel Baffour’s converted penalty to end a long wait for the title. For Coach Bashiru Hayford this game will serve as an assessment of his technical abilities as he preps his team for an awesome journey into CAF competition.
WAFA v. Hearts of Oak - Sogakope
Arguably the team that has exhibited the finest football, WAFA, who lost 1-0 at Ashgold needs to earn a point to survive when they host Hearts of Oak at the Sogakope Park.
Hearts who won a highly contested fixture against Berekum Chelsea by 3 goals to 2 will surely aim for the win to prop up into the top four at the expense of the Sogakope based club who have their premier league spot for next season in danger of extinction.
Hearts won the first leg 1-0 - thanks to Gilbert Fiamenyo who has confirmed his departure from the club at the end of current campaign following the expiration of his contract and the unwillingness of Hearts to serve him another contract.
Hearts who occupy the 5th spot on the log have registered three straight victories against WAFA since the latter debuted in 2006.
Expect WAFA who have lost their last two outings - all on the away front and just once at home this season to put up a spirited performance in their bid to escape the drop.
Berekum Chelsea v. WA All Stars - Berekum
The Blues, who were dealt a first leg 1-0 defeat in WA will aim to finish their season on a high and also preserve their unbeaten home record with a victory against All Stars.
All Stars confirmed their stay in the premiership after their 2-0 win over Medeama and must redouble their efforts to succeed in Berekum.
Bragging rights, revenge and jockeying for position on the log may seem the most important in this encounter but the loser of this one can take a tumble into the bottom half of the log.
Berekum Chelsea who lie 6th with 41 points have five wins, five draws and three losses against All Stars who have the 7th spot with the same points.
Bechem united v. BA. Utd - Bechem
Bechem United have a golden opportunity to escape demotion as they welcome demoted BA in the only derby of the match day.
Bechem like many others need the maximum points to avoid relegation while BA will be playing to appease their fans whom they have failed to appease most times this season - worst club on the road.
Bechem have a very good record at home, just one defeat at the hands of kotoko. They also boast of 11 wins out of the 14 games, clearly making them favorites to win this one.