Predicting relegation candidates is no mean task and more so when clubs attach such emotions to it. There is no malice intended for the four teams predicted in this piece. It is our hope that they prove us wrong come the end of season.
In this light, Joy Sports Kweku Arhin predicts which teams are likely to go down

INTER ALLIES

Delali Senaye’s side have been a breath of fresh air since their arrival in the league two seasons ago. From their miraculous escape in their first year to their impressive cup run down to their attractive style of play either home or away, Inter Allies have commanded a degree of certainty around them. Much of this has been down to the quality of players at their disposal. Their major bane however has been the consistent shipping of their players to foreign leagues and most especially Scandinavian leagues. They have been hit hard this season with as many as eight players departing. Key amongst them is reigning Ghana Premier League defender of the year Baba Mensah who joined BK Hacken on a season long loan. Such departures have got Herbert Addo, who steered the club to safety miraculously, worried. “It is a big worry to lose eight of your regular players, what this means is that we have to start afresh,” coach Addo told Joy Sports. “In Europe, top clubs lose players and they replace them with the same standard or a little above them so they don’t have much problem." “But here we have to train them and the players I have now I really have to coach them, psychologically, physically, technically and tactically and at the same time the result have to be there.” “Next season if we stay in the league and maintain the players we have now I believe a lot will change.”

Judging by Herbert’s words, the new breed of Inter Allies players will require much coaching should they repeat the feats chalked by their predecessors. However, the busy nature of this season’s schedule might affect the coaching of the players on the training field. Training regimes this season will heavily focus on recovery sessions instead of tactical fine tuning as Sunday-Wednesday-Sunday matches will be on the rise. Inter Allies stand at risk with this and very likely to bear the brunt of this come the end of season. The adaptation of new faces will make or break them. At the moment…sorry…but it is not looking likely.

BECHEM UNITED

He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day. This words epitomizes the current situation of Bechem United. Twice on the cusp of relegation, twice they managed to scale through. However, it might not be third time lucky for the Brong Ahafo side especially because of the sale of key man Noah Martey. Following Augustine Okrah’s heroics and departure, Martey took the mantle as the driving force behind the team creating and scoring many. Bechem scored 32 goals in 30 games representing 1.06 goals per match. Out of these 32 goals, Martey scored 10 out of them representing 31.25 of Bechem’s goals last season. Bechem now have the arduous task of replacing Okrah’s goals with their already lean goal tally. Their next two top scorers; Yaw Arnol (5) and Ernest Baffour (4) could still not combine to equal Noah Martey’s tally of 10. 

Their signings in the off season does not inspire a lot of confidence as well. Akwasi Acheampong from Asante Kotoko is expected to fortify their backline and midfielder Emmanuel Allan Skido  from Aduana Stars. At the top end of the field, Abdullah Issahaku, Bismarck Akaminko and  Nana Bonsu have been purchased to find the back of the net. Football has evolved and names do not play football anymore but these signings all failed to glitter at their previous nor make any impressive mark. Goals are key especially during home games but currently, they are lacking in this department. We however hope they find a solution to this and continue their stay in the Premier League.

TECHIMAN CITY

Even before any team has kicked a ball, Techiman City are psychologically disadvantaged despite talks by Charles Kwadwo Ntim claiming his side are mentally prepared for the league. Players need to play the game with a right frame of mind and liberty to fully allow them express themselves on the pitch. At the moment, the key question ringing in the minds of Techiman City players are; “Are we going to play all 30 matches?”  “Will our appeal be thrown away?” “What if we play only 5 matches and we are thrown out?”  “Does it mean we play in Division 2” and more. These players are human and no matter what, these questions will rear its head. Such doubts in the mind of players will certainly reflect on the pitch. Wins will be turned into draws and draws into losses. Games will be decided on fine margins and most of these will be down to the uncertainty in the minds of these players.

The capture of Yusuf Abubakar is a great addition to the team with the much needed Premier League experience but he certainly needs players who will be up to the rigorous nature of the game these days. In Stephen Manu and Samuel Kyere, they have two excellent signings but could well be at the twilight of their careers. Playing three games a week could well be herculean for them. Techiman have a lot of odds against them and will be a delight if they upset the big names in the league and stay despite all the uncertainty. Wishful thinking it is…the reality on the ground is, it will be very difficult to count Techiman City as a league side come the start of next season.

NEW EDUBIASE

Edubiase’s case is a combination of that of Inter Allies and Bechem United. Abdul Salam’s men have lost as many as five key players who walk straight into many teams with their two prolific strikers inclusive. Edubiase are without midfield duo of Latif Anabilah and Alhassan Nuhu, defensive pillar Emmanuel Nti Mensah and strikers Bernard Ofori and Nuhu Fuseini. Edubiase managed 38 goals last season in 30 matches representing 1.26 goals per game. Out of these 38 goals, Nuhu Fuseini (13) and Bernard Ofori (8) managed to score 21 of them. These 21 goals represent 55.2% of Edubiase’s goals. Replacing these goals will be a difficult task and more arduous will be the fact that they have start all over with a relatively new team. Their only consolation will be the fact that they have consistently produced youngsters onto the scene.

This season however is likely to prove difficult as the top talents have been evenly spread amongst clubs.There will be no margin for error and for a young team, there will be no time for them trying to find their feet. The established players who left had to survive on the last day after a 4-2 victory over Heart of Lions. Their signings this season include Kasiru Issah from Bekwai Youth, Prince Antwi from Winneba Interlectuals, Faisal Mohammed from King Faisal and Fusene Zabiru from Aduana Stars. This season might prove a big ask for Edubiase but we hope they prove us wrong and produce more young and quality players for the development of the sports in the country.

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