THE RELEGATION SCRAP: THE PERMUTATIONS AHEAD OF SUNDAY'S SURVIVAL BATTLES
By Felix Romark - July 17, 2021
Hearts of Oak sealed the league title after a 1-1 draw with Liberty Professionals on Sunday at the Accra Sports stadium. The Phobians needed a win to wrap up the title but Bechem’s win over Kotoko meant a draw was enough for the rainbow club to win their 21st league title.
With the title contest concluded, attention shifts to the relegation scrap and which teams can beat the drop on Sunday. One of the three relegation places has been settled. Inter Allies became the first team to be relegated after their 2-0 defeat at home to Liberty Professional in Dawu. Allies are currently bottom of the league log with 26 points after 33 games, winning just seven and losing 21 games with 5 drawn games.
Apart from Allies, six clubs; Ebusua Dwarfs, Elmina Sharks, King Faisal, Liberty Professionals, and Legon Cities – will learn of their fate after the final round of matches. But what are their chances?
Ebusua Dwarfs: GAMES 33, L14, W 11 PTS 38
It has been a tough season for the crabs who have managed just 11 wins in 33 games. One of their 11 defeats was suffered in the boardroom. But it was a defeat that cost them more than three points. The Disciplinary Committee declared Legon Cities winners their week 23 league game which ended abruptly at the Cape Coast stadium, they lost 6 points to that ruling. However, none of that matters if they can beat Bechem United on Sunday. However, there is the small matter of the Kotoko versus Elmina Sharks and Legon Cities vs Eleven Wonders games. For Dwarfs to qualify, both Sharks and Cities must drop points.
However, if they draw against Bechem they get 39 points and will be relegated if Liberty and Cities win or draw. Goes without saying that a defeat relegates Dwarfs
Elmina Sharks: GAMES 33, L 13, W 9 PTS 38
Sharks have had a huge task of keeping their squad and technical team together this season after lacking cash flow from their bankroller Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom. Cash strapped Sharks were forced to find alternate means of generating instant revenue to fund their operations. The most effective was to sell players. Talisman Benjamin Tweneboah and Benjamin Arthur were transferred to Aduana and Medeama SC respectively. Thereafter, head coach Yaw Acheampong also left to join Medeama. Their form did not improve and thus they find themselves in this quagmire.
The team is currently 17th on the league log after 32 games, needing a win against Kotoko and favorable results in other league games for their survival.
If they beat Kotoko they will get 41 points and survive if Dwarfs, Liberty, and Legon Cities fail to win. If they draw or lose they will be relegated.
King Faisal.
Alhaji Grunsah’s side has a slight advantage over the other relegation-threatened teams due to their current run. Currently, 13th on the table, Faisal has gone unbeaten in their last 5 league games with wins over fellow strugglers Legon Cities and Ebusua Dwarfs coming in-between draws against Kotoko and Medeama. They now need a win against Liberty to survive. Draw or win and they will survive (a draw gives them 41 points and win 43 points)
If they lose against Liberty and Sharks, Dwarfs, Legon Cities win they will be relegated.
A win against King Faisal and they will survive with 42 points. If they draw with King Faisal and they will survive if Dwarfs and Sharks fail to win.
Legon Cities: GAMES 33 L 14 W 10 PTS 39
In a desperate move to stay afloat, Legon Cities have recruited Maxwell Konadu. There is however no clarity over his role because Bashir Hayford is still in the club’s employ. A pending protest filed by Elmina Sharks over the eligibility of Issaka Mohammed to play in some league games means they will need more than just a win against Wonders to survive.
A win against Eleven Wonders and they will survive with 42 points. A defeat against Wonders and a win for Dwarfs and Elmina Sharks means they will be relegated.
Liberty Professionals: GAMES 33, L 14, W 10 PTS 39
Once known as the talent factory of Ghana Football, Liberty are now on a verge of relegation from the Premier League because of an obvious lack of quality.
But there is one last chance to salvage things when they host King Faisal.
A win against King Faisal and they will survive with 42 points. Draw with King Faisal and they will survive if Dwarfs and Sharks fail to win. You know what a defeat means, don’t you?
Head to Head:
Sharks:
– They have a better head to head against Dwarfs
– They are tie on the head to head against Legon Cities (both games ended 2-0)
Dwarfs:
– They have a better head to head against Liberty.
Liberty:
– They have a better head to head against Elmina Sharks
– Head to head against King Faisal will be known after Week 34
– They have a better head to head against Legon Cities
Legon Cites:
– They have a better head to head against Ebusua Dwarfs
– They are tie on the head to head against Elmina Sharks (both games ended 2-0)
King Faisal
– They have a better head to head against Legon Cities
– They have a better head to head against Dwarfs
– They have a better head to head against Elmina Sharks
– Head to Head against Liberty will be known after Week 34