FootyDream

The second round of the Women’s Premier League returns this weekend after a month-long break. In the Southern Zone, leaders Hasaacas Ladies ended the first round of the campaign without defeat will host Lady Strikers on Sunday. There are other exciting fixtures to look ahead to, here is what to expect this weekend.

Immigration Ladies vs Berry Ladies

Immigration Ladies have an opportunity to finally win their first home game of the campaign at the third attempt as they welcome Berry Ladies FC to the McDan La Town Park. The ‘service Ladies’ have endured a tough start to the domestic season, sitting outside the top half of the table, 6^th with 5points. Coach Joseph Badger will demand a response from his team after a long break but face a tough test especially after losing striker Faustina Kyereme upfront. The ‘Berries’ were stunned in Sekondi on match day 7, dropping to the second spot on the final day of the first round. Mercy Tagoe Quarcoo’s side the Southern Zone table for 6 weeks and kept an unbeaten record until the 1-0 loss to Hasaacas Ladies. The likes of Constance Serwaa Agyemang, Ernestina Tetteh and Nina Norshie were pivotal in midfield; Abigail Tawiah Mensah held it together in goal while Felicity Asante was clinical upfront for the team. The reverse of this fixture was on match day 1 in a classic 5 goal thriller that ended 3-2 in favour of Berry Ladies.

Hasaacas Ladies vs Lady Strikers FC

Yusif Basigi’s side are the only team with a perfect record in the first round and would leave nothing to chance when they play at home against Lady Strikers on match day 8. The Sekondi based club will begin the second round without one of their reliable stalwarts, Linda Eshun who has joined Spanish side C.D Parquesol Feminino, a second-tier side. Striker Milot Pokua was the match winner when they met Berry Ladies before the end of the first round. Lady Strikers on the other hand did not relent after that defeat but churned out some good results, beating Thunder Queens, Soccer Intellectuals and Sea Lions convincingly. Suzzy Dede Teye was in devastating form, as she won the February Player of the Month accolade. Rashid Iddi seemed to have found the magic wand getting to the end of the first-round judging from the output of the likes of Gladys Amfobea and Gifty Addai Boakye.  An earlier encounter between both sides on match day 1 saw the ‘Dooo Ladies’ winning 2-1 on the day.

Sea Lions Ladies vs Soccer Intellectuals Ladies

Still win-less this season, Sea Lions will be hoping that the Nduom Sports Stadium can become their favorite ‘happy place’ when Soccer Intellectuals visit this weekend. The team has had a dormant attack and leaky defense, scoring 5 goals and conceding 13 in the process. That notwithstanding, the brightest spot for this Sea Lions team is being the only side to have claimed a point from leaders, Hasaacas Ladies at the Gyandu Park. Soccer Intellectuals have had an inconsistent first half of the season, winning four of their opening 7 games, and drawing 3 games to command a more than respectable 4^th place on the zonal league table. The first meeting between both sides on match day 1, Adina Akpo, Jennifer Adjei Mensah and Mary Awuah Boateng ensured Soccer Intellectuals dispatched Sea Lions 3-1 with Alice Sarpong getting a consolation for Sea Lions. The ‘butweku mma’ will be looking for revenge at home while; Soccer intellectuals look to strengthen their dominance over their regional rivals.

The second round of the Women’s Premier League returns this weekend after a month-long break. In the Northern Zone, leaders Ampem Darkoa Ladies who ended the first round of the campaign without defeat will be at home against Kumasi Academy. There are other exciting fixtures to look ahead to, here is what to expect this weekend.

Northern Ladies vs Ashtown Ladies

Northern Ladies opened the season with a 3-1 win against Ashtown Ladies on match day one but their season has seen less progress due to unavailability of some key players including poster girl, Mukarama Abdulai who netted all 3 goals in that encounter. They managed 2 wins, 2 losses and 3 draws in the first round and finished in 5^th place with 9 points in the league table. Ashtown ladies experienced a topsy-turvy first round, lost their first two games until Comfort Baah Nuako saved their blushes on match day three. Another highlight was sharing the spoils with Pearl Pia Ladies at the Utrecht Park in Tamale, again Comfort Baah Nuako came to the party again in the 67^thminute. The team registered two wins, 1 draw and 4 defeats and amassed 7 points, to finish 6^th in the table. Defensively, the two teams have issues to deal with after leaking 10 and 12 goals respectively in the first round. Northern Ladies have a strong home record and head into the game as favourites. We expect a keenly contested encounter at the Aliu Mahama stadium.

Fabulous Ladies vs Pearl Pia Ladies

Fabulous Ladies had to bounce back from successive defeats to record an impressive victory over Prisons Ladies in their last outing on match day 7.  Their campaign had been blighted by injuries in the entire season thus far, having a toll on the progress in the League log. That notwithstanding, goalkeeper Nana Ofori Amanfo was arguably one of the top performers in the League, saving two penalties when her side clashed with Kumasi Sports Academy in the first round. Coach Nana Atuahene hinted on revamping the squad during the break with some fresh limps to savage the dwindling fortunes of his side. Pearl Pia Ladies, who limped in the early part of the campaign, ended the first round in 7^thplace with 6 points. The two drew 1-1 when they last met at the Utrecht Park in Tamale.

Supreme Ladies vs Prisons Ladies

Supreme Ladies have picked up some impressive results in the League, including a win against Prisons Ladies at the Sunyani Coronation Park on match Day 1. This result obviously defined their campaign in the first round, as they ended with 9 points and finished 4^th in the table. Sandra Owusu Ansah started the season on a sloppy note but managed to end the first round as joint top scorer with Ophelia Serwaa Amponsah of Ampem Darkoa Ladies with 6 goals.  Prisons Ladies needed to work hard after dropping valuable points in the opening stagers of the campaign. The team placed 3^rd on the zonal table with 10 points before the break. Juliet Acheampong and Abigail Tutuwaa headline this encounter for the away side while Sarah Kulible and Sandra Owusu Ansah look to hold the fort for the home side.

Ampem Darkoa Ladies vs Kumasi Sports Academy

High-flying Ampem Darkoa Ladies will aim to build on their impressive as they welcome Kumasi Sports Academy to the Ohene Ameyaw Park. The League leaders finished the first round with 19 points and scored 14 goals in 7 matches. They have a tough test against the best away performers’ in the League. Their opponents, Kumasi Sports Academy won all three away fixtures against Pearl Pia Ladies, Northern Ladies and Supreme Ladies in the first round and finished in 2^nd position with 13 points. Coach Anokye Frimpong is confident of pulling a surprise in Techiman even though it looks very daunting. Justice Ama Tweneboaa is expected to be a corner stone in the heart of Ampem Darkoa’s defence, Patience Peterson Kundok in midfield while Ophelia Serwaa Amponsah and Tracy Twum lead the attack. Naomi Anima will lead her cohorts with Kerrie McCarthy guiding the post while Favor Fosua Anane goes in search of her 4^th goal of the season.  The ‘Nanamma’ aim to end Kumasi Sports Academy Ladies’ unbeaten away run which stretches back to the first round as the visitors also look to protect that enviable feat.