The Ghana Premier League is set to return this weekend with newcomers Accra Lions and Elmina Sharks tasked with getting things underway for the 2021/22 season on Friday.
If the pre-season build-up and yesterday’s launch is anything to go by, then football fans can expect an intriguing season of football.
This will certain be a perfect build-up to last season which treated spectators with some great fixtures.
Ahead of the new season, we have picked out a couple of fixtures you cannot afford to miss.
Hearts vs Kotoko
This fixture still remains the most anticipated in the top flight, and for good reasons.
Not only are both sides the most successful in the history of Ghanaian football, but they have produced some great spectacles over the years whenever they played each other.
The defending champions were the better of the two last season as they picked up four out of six points last season en route to their their triumph.
The second game saw the Phobians winning a lone goal and in the process stripping away any hopes their rivals had of winning the Premier League last season.
The Porcupine Warriors will thus pumped up for a revenge when both sides meet this season in matchday 7 and matchday 24.
Olympics vs Hearts
Arguably one of the most intriguing games witnessed in the Premier League was the first round game between Accra Hearts of Oak and Great Olympics.
The build-up to the game was exceptional and charming as it has always been, with both set of fans claiming ownership of the land.
But even more impressive was the performance from the players on the field.
Despite the Phobians winning on the day, it was a great spectacle for all those present on the day.
The same could be served this season and with Olympics losing their skipper and main man Gladson Awako to the Phobians, the rivalry could be even more tense.
RTU vs Kotoko; RTU vs Hearts
The return of RTU to the Premier League after several seasons is certainly a highlight worth pointing out prior to the start of the season.
As the most prominent club in the Northern region of the country, RTU were one of the most exciting teams to watch for several years until their relegation about a decade ago.
But their promotion to the Premier League once again means a renewal of traditional rivalries with both Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak.
Of course, RTU might not be on the same level as the aforementioned clubs when they do meet but there will be no doubt that they will be ready for the fixtures.
Statistically, RTU would love to play the Phobians more than the Porcupine Warriors.
Out of the 12 games played between the two clubs, RTU have won 3 times while Hearts have won 4, with 5 of the games ending in a draw.
A win for the Northern based side will see them equal the number of wins, and that could be enough of a motivation for them going into the first fixture.
The story has not been the same with Kotoko, however, as the Porcupine Warriors have secured 7 emphatic wins out of 12 meetings.
RTU have won twice with three being drawn games.
More derbies coming up
The promotion of both Bibiani Gold Stars and Accra Lions to the top flight, means more derbies will be witnessed this season.
There were certainly of more of the derbies across the country last season.
In the Western region, Medeama SC and Karela United revived the Western region rivalry, in the absence of Sekondi Hasaacas and and Sekondi Eleven Wise.
Bibiani Gold Stars are set to go head to head with both Medeama and Karela United, increasing the Western regional derbies to 3.
In the Greater Accra, Accra Lions will begin rivalries with both Accra Hearts of Oak and Accra Great Olympics, while Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Obuasi AshantiGold, and King Faisal will continue their rivalries in the Ashanti region.
The relegation of Ebusua Dwarfs means that there will be no derbies in the Central region, as Elmina Sharks now remain the sole representative of the region in the league.
