Division One League Zone 1 leaders RTU take on City rivals Steadfast FC at the Aliu Mahama Sports stadium in the headline match of Week 13 on Sunday.
With Tamale City and Gbewaa FC facing off in another local derby, the stakes looks higher for these four clubs in Tamale. Bofoakwa Tano will be desperate to claim all three points to ensure they remain contenders on the pile, against Wa Suntaa.
Meanwhile, second-placed Berekum Arsenals host Mighty Royals in an interesting match, while B. A. United United take on out-of-form Crocodile Stars at the Coronation Park.
Steadfast vs. Real Tamale United Preview
One of the standout fixtures in the Division One League Zone 1 this week will take place at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium on Sunday afternoon as Steadfast welcome Real Tamale United. The home side are currently third on the table, one point behind leaders RTU after playing the same number of matches.
Both clubs go into this contest on the back of impressive displays under their coaches.
RTU ‘s form under Coach Shaibu Ibrahim Tanko has been excellent, with the Northern Blues winning seven and drawing three with just two defeats of their 12 matches since the start of the season.
The former Hearts of Oak and Medeama gaffer is yet to lose against Steadfast since taking over the Pride of the North in 2017.
Steadfast on the other hand go into this game having been held to a 1-1 draw by Tamale City when they were leading the Zone last weekend, with Kwame Frimpong’s free kick cancelling out a first-half effort from Sherif Mohammed.
A top-four challenge appeared difficult in the latter stages of Gargo Mohammed’s tenure, but the Northern Regional Capital outfit have picked up 23 points from the last 12 matches to rise into third position on the table, just one point behind their opponents.
Team News
RTU will welcome the services of experienced centre-back Bawa Samuel and captain Mohammed Hardi for this weekend’s contest.
The Pride of the North are in excellent shape in terms of injuries, and there are not expected to be too many surprises in the home side’s XI on Sunday afternoon. Mustapha Fuseini is suspended as he serves a one match ban for yellow cards accumulated.
Ronald Frimpong’s excellent goal against B. A. United should see him keep his spot at the top of the attack with Stephen Dankwah and Sadat Mohammed operating in the two positions just behind.
As for Steadfast, they would have to do without Issahaku Abdul Fatawu for this game. The 17 year old has joined the Black Stars for the African Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa on Thursday after an impressive tournament in Mauritania where he was adjudged the best player. Mohammed Gargo however has a full house to pick from.
Berekum Arsenal vs Mighty Royals
With the title race heating up, Arsenal hosts Mighty Royals on a Nuetral ground after the Club Licensing Board imposed a ban on the home ground of Berekum Arsenal. This high-powered confrontation on week 13 may give some clue where the campaign is going this season.
The two sides are locked on the table with 23 points apiece going into the game. Victories for both Tamale City and Bofoakwa Tano who entertain Wa Suntaa and Yendi Gbewaa respectively will tighten it up even more as the campaign approaches the busy halfway stage.
Gbewaa FC vs Tamale City
Saturday sees Gbewaa FC and Tamale City go head-to-head in another local derby at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium with both sides in search of another big boost to fuel their push towards qualification and survival as the case may be.
Coming on the back of a defeat for Gbewaa FC and a home draw by City, expect to see plenty of hunger and desire on both parts as coach Nurudeen Sham-Una for Yendi Gbewaa and Hamza Mohammed for Tamale City look to shake off any last-minute cobwebs for the final run-in as the first half of the season draws to a close.
The Citizens (Tamale City) will be looking to close in on RTU by picking up any points in this match, while the Lions (Yendi Gbewaa) really need to plunder the maximum spoils if they want to keep pace with the rest.
B.A. United vs Crocodile Stars
B.A. United come up against Paga Crocodile Stars in this round of fixtures and a win should be on the cards for the home side.
The Upper East-based team have gone five games without a win in the ongoing campaign and are currently bottom on the league table with seven points after 12 matches played this season.
Relegation is starring at the face of Crocodile Stars and they must churn out positive results with just some few games to end the first round of the 2020/21 Division One League season.
This is the team’s worst performance in the top flight since joining the division.
Bofoakwa Tano vs Wa Suntaa SC
The away side have gone four matches without a win and were 0-1 losers to Berekum Arsenals at their own backyard last week as they continue to drop on the league standings.They look to get back to winning ways on Saturday at the Sunyani Coronation Park when they visit Bofoakwa Tano.
In other matches in Zone 1, Kintampo Fc squares it off with surprise package Nsoatreman FC while struggling Techiman City entertain Nkoranza Warriors. Unity FC host Young Apostles at home.
By: Sey Mubarick