Five things we learned from match day 4

Pulse Sports brings you five of the major talking points from week four of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).

Hearts of Oak finally show promise

The Rainbow club had previously been lethargic, having started the season with three successive dull draws. However, Hearts of Oak looked a totally new proposition in their latest win over defending champions Wa All Stars. It was not a particularly virtuoso performance, but Frank Nuttal will be impressed with what he saw from his side.

In the previous games, the Phobians were most often left chasing the pack, with a combination of poor finishing and a lack of fighting spirit costing the side. However, in their game against Wa All Stars they looked more energetic, chasing every ball and attacking with a sense of purpose.

On another day Hearts of Oak might have drawn the game, after being pegged back with just eight minutes left on the clock. However, the Phobians kept on pushing and showed tremendous fighting spirit to snatch a late winner. Frank Nuttal has been in charge of the side for less than a month, but the team is gradually showing promise per their performance on Sunday.

Troubled Great Olympics need a major facelift

Prior to Olympics’ clash with fellow newcomers Bolga AllStars, coach Godwin Attram made mention of the fact that his charges had “psychological problems”. And the lack of mental toughness was evident when they graced the Tamale stadium. Facing a Bolga AllStars side who had conceded seven goals in their opening two games, Olympics were surely facing an opposition there for the taking.

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However, by the time 90 minutes elapsed, it was the Bolga-based side who were all smiles. A 1-0 loss in Tamale means Bolga AllStars have now leapfrogged Attram’s winless side and left them at the bottom of the league table.

Having already squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2- with Elmina Sharks at home last week, Olympics needed a swift response. But their latest loss only sinks them into further trouble. They will now need a major facelift to get their season going.

Rising Sharks yet to really bite

Elmina Sharks left it late to record their first ever victory in the Ghana Premier League, thanks to a 1-0 victory over Tema Youth. Having lost their first home game in unfortunate circumstances to league leaders Aduana Stars, the Sharks were out to prove a point. But in truth, their victory was a result of Tema Youth’s inability to show up rather than their own brilliance.

The Elmina-based side struggled for the majority of the match, cutting out frustrated figures throughout. If there was one bright spot from their performance, then it would be the never-say-die attitude of the side. With just a minute to end proceedings, the Sharks continued to push until they finally made the breakthrough.

It was a good result, but considering the investment that has gone into this Sharks team they can surely do better. They have to start biting opponents like they did while in the second tier or risk facing the drop. There is no doubt that the club is on the rise, but results are crucial at this moment and a repeat of such performance could get them punished.

Evans Adotey silences critics … for now

Two draws sandwiched between a loss in the opening three games of Inter Allies left Evans Adotey facing serious questions. There is the school of thought that feel Adotey is not the right man to handle the Tema-based club, but he did silence them – albeit for now.

Inter Allies started on a bright note, scoring twice in ten minutes to leave Ebusua Dwarfs with a tall order. Goals-coring had particularly been a problem for Inter Allies. Prior to the encounter, the side had only scored once from the opening three games. However, they doubled that tally in just 45 minutes.

It was a performance – and more importantly – a win that will offer Evans Adotey some respite. At least for now.

Bernard Arthur saves Liberty blushes

The Carl Reindorf Park witnessed a goal-fest over the weekend, and at the heart of it all was one man – Bernard Arthur. The mercurial striker has been mostly inconsistent in the past seasons, however, he is turning out to be the club’s go-to man this term. It was his goal that set Liberty up to a 2-0 win over Inter Allies in their last home game, and he repeated the feat once again against Medeama – in even better fashion.

Having started from the bench in each of Liberty’s last three games, Arthur was finally unleashed on the Mauves and Yellows. His direct runs troubled the Medeama defense all through, and it was no surprise that he put his side ahead after just five minutes. The striker again repeated his heroics to put Liberty 2-1 up after some sloppy defending had allowed Medeama to steal the equalizer midway through the first half.

And although Samuel Sarfo scored what proved to be the eventual winner in the dying embers of the game, it was evident that Arthur had played a major role in keeping the Dansoman-based club alive in the fixture. The arrival of Ernest Papa Arko has no doubt limited the playing time of Arthur, however, on Sunday it was the latter who save Liberty’s blushes.