Kotoko, Chelsea in title search on final day

Emotions will be the theme as the curtains on the 2012/2013 Glo Premier League folds up at the weekend.

Both ends of the league log will be boiling with interesting fixtures; Asante Kotoko and Berekum Chelsea are in a two horse race for the diadem whilst the trio of Heart of Lions, Tema Youth and Berekum Arsenals seek to beat the drop.

Two of the sides will join Real Tamale United in the second-tier next season. There is a likelihood of a champion being crowned on the final day of the season for the first time in two years, dependent on the outcome of the matches involving joint leaders, Kotoko and Chelsea.

Interestingly, the two sides find themselves in away clashes, the Porcupine Warriors storming the port city of Tema as guests of newcomers Amidaus Professionals whilst Chelsea battles it out with Heart of Lions in Kpando.

Of the two games, it is Chelsea’s trip to the south that appears trickier against the backdrop that their hosts, Lions, engulfed in a survival battle must avoid defeat to be certain of their continued stay in the top flight.

Two-points richer than Tema Youth, the maximum points will be enough to cement Lions’ place for next season, irrespective of the outcome of the encounter between the former and Hearts of Oak at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Amidaus have nothing to play for but have sworn to avenge the painful loss suffered against Kotoko in the semis of the FA Cup, and deny them of their 22nd league title.

However, the Porcupine Warriors have called off the bluff of the Tema lads and much will be expected of Captain Kofi Nti Boakye and his colleagues to put up a performance worthy of landing them the title.

Victory for one side and a slip by the other will see the title going the way of the former. In the event both sides win, there will be a play-off at a later date to be determined by the Premier League Board (PLB) to decide the league champion.

At other side of the log, Arsenals who have refused to give up on the survival bid will host Dwarfs at the Essipong Stadium in Sekondi. The ‘Gunners’, whose lifeline hangs on a thread, are serving a six-match ban for crowd troubles at their famous Golden City Park in Berekum.

Former champions, Aduana Stars also serving a two-match ban will host All Stars at the Tamale Stadium.

In Kumasi, King Faisal will square Liberty whilst Medeama lock horns with Edubiase at Tarkwa.

Real Tamale United will bid farewell to the elite division for the second time in the history of the club with a trip to Obuasi against AshantiGold.