EDITORIAL: Who Wins the League?

The national soccer league, now known as the ABC Premier League has been scheduled to begin on Sunday, April 15, barring any last minute hitch. Already the customary annual gala competition, which starts off a week before the league kicks off, will take place on Saturday and Sunday. That is because the Super Champions, Accra Hearts of Oak will open the defence of this crown on April 8, the day slated for the gala competition.

Meanwhile all the premier clubs have loaded their guns for action. But who among them will fire blank and who will hit the target? Without doubt all the clubs have identified their shortcomings and made good the bad situation. Those with technical problems have resolved them and the others with player problems have recruited and purchased new ones. All these have been put in readiness for action. As usual Kotoko has done the most in purchasing players. Unfortunately, the team always goes in for stars without finding out whether they are compatible with the club.

If you want a team with a good blend, highly charged, motivated and good team work, then go to Accra Hearts of Oak. Theirs is a team with the right frame of mind managed by men of ambition. Their only problem is their inability to solve a small 'family problem.' This could cost them dearly. The club I always respect and love seeing in action is Liberty Professionals. This is a club being handled by dedicated and honest young men. They can cause sensation but the team to beat this year is my brother's team King Faisal. Unheralded, unfancied and unknown, Alhaji Abdul Karim Gurza's King Faisal has come to be among the top clubs in Ghana football. They can cause sensation in both the league and WAFU campaigns. Who will sponsor them? Other clubs like Maxbees Adansiman, Kwaebibrem, Olympics, Ghapoha and the rest will as usual start the race well. But can they last? Will the referees ensure a free and fair football league this season? The success of any football league depends on the honesty and impartiality of the referees. They are the salt of the game. Unfortunately, the soccer-loving public is not in for any fanciful trick with a long technical explanation.
If any success will come out in this league, it should first start with those GFA officials and the Sports Ministry. Discipline is the keyword. Let the referees do their work faithfully, otherwise we all stand to lose.