Medeama to Host GoldStars in Top of Table Clash
Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC will welcome Bibiani Gold Stars to the TnA Stadium in Tarkwa in a GPL Matchday 31 encounter on Sunday, May 3.
The result of the game will have huge ramifications for the top of the table with just two points separating Medeama on top and Gold Stars in second place. The Tarkwa-based club has amassed 53 points while Gold Stars have 51 points.
A win for Medeama SC will see them consolidate their lead and opening up a five-point gap on their immediate opponents. Likewise, a win for the Miners will see them overtake Medeama SC for the third time this season and will go one point ahead.
Bibiani Gold Stars, who won the title for the first time last season, are battling to defend their crown and are hoping to become the first to successfully do so since Asante Kotoko won three times in a row from the 2011/2012 season to the 2013/2014 season.
Medeama SC also chase their only second GPL crown since winning it three seasons ago in the 2022/23 campaign.
Medeama winger Kelvin Nkrumah speaking in a presser ahead of the game called for the backing of the fans and promised to secure a win for them.
It is their support that has brought us this far and so they should continue in that way. I urge them to come in their numbers to on Sunday and we’ll also win for them.”
Head to Head Record
This fixture has historically always favoured the team playing at home. Since Gold Stars secured qualification to the Ghana top flight in the 2021/2022 season, they have met Medeama SC on nine occasions in the premier League.
Overall, the records are even in their nine meetings. Medeama have won three times while Bibiani Gold Stars have also won three with three games ending in stalemates.
All wins for each side have come on their own home turf. Medeama at home to Gold Stars have always been a manace for the visitors. Gold Stars are yet to record any victory against Medeama in Tarkwa. In four previous away games, they have lost three times and secured just one draw which came in their very first trip to Medeama in the league.
Medeama have won their last three home games against Gold Stars, scoring five times and conceding just once. They have kept three clean sheet in their last three home games against Gold Stars as well.
League Form and Players to Watch
Both sides enter into the clash with mixed results in their recent league games. They have all struggled for consistency in their last games.
Medeama SC have won 2, drawn 1 and lost 2 in their last 5 league encounters. A run that temporarily halted their seemingly flawless March towards the GPL title.
For Gold Stars, their last 5 games have seen them record three defeats and two wins which proved telling as the relinquish their lead at the top on two occasions in the last five game weeks.
The home form of the Yellow and Mauves offers a lot of encouragement in their bid for a second GPL trophy. They have lost just once at home all season when Hohoe United, who have since withdrawn from the league, beat them 1-0.
Ibrahim Tanko, head coach of Medeama SC acknowledged that the game on Sunday won’t be a walk in the park but admitted the crucial role that their home advantage can bring. “The game is not going to be easy on Sunday but we’re the home side and we want to keep all the three points here.”
Out of their last ten home games, Medeama have won six times, and drawn thrice with one defeat. Gold Stars away record is poor. They have recorded three wins and seven defeats in their last ten away games on the road.
Both teams have their own star names and performers to rely on on Sunday. Gold Stars’ striker Samuel Atta Kumi leads the top scorers chart with 12 goals and will prove to be a tough customer for the Medeama SC defensive set up.
His unpredictability in front of goal will be needed if the Miners are to secure a favourable result that will help them to defend their crown.
Medeama SC will also count on their midfielder Salim Adams to have a huge impact in the game. The former Hearts of Oak player has netted 10 goals from midfield position this campaign. His fierce drive and free kick striking abilities will prove crucial in a game that could potentially be decided by the finer margins.