WPL: PearlPia Ladies take on Northern Ladies in a Tamale derby.
An exciting weekend of football awaits us this weekend in the Women’s Premier League as clubs get ready to combat for honours on match day 11. Northern ladies play as guest to city rivals Pearl Pia ladies at the Utrecht Sports Academy Park .
Northern Ladies picked a point against Prisons ladies at home against Prisons Ladies in a 0-0 draw. Northern ladies star player Rahama Jafar was a in red hot form against Prisons ladies as she tormented the defence of the home side in last weekend’s draw, though she missed a penalty in the early department of the game. She is expected to light up the Utrecht Park on Sunday in the much-anticipated Northern derby.
Coach Sumani Bashiru- Deen side had a disappointing start to the season after picking up only two wins in ten games.
His side has also drawn five games and lost three games.
The team looks vulnerable after their star player Abdulai Mukarama left to the United States.
She formed a pivotal part in the teams success. Her absence has brought tension on Jafar Rahama who has not been able to carry the task alone,she has since scored four goals in ten games which is far from her best.
The team added some players during the transfer window, but they are yet to make significant impact. New Goalkeeper Afi has been the best signing for them and they will be hopefully the other new signings up their game to help them compete well in the zone.
PearlPia ladies meanwhile are just two points below their rivals, they have only won one game in the zone, lost three and drawing six.
Coach Abdulai Abdul Mumin will be so concern about their inability to record wins against their rivals despite them meeting in the women Premiership for nine times.
They have lost three times to their City rivals and drawn the other six.
Even though they boost of some experience players in the zone,they have struggled to record good results.
They have so many of their players playing for the various national teams. Notable among them are,Samira Abdul Rahaman, Alhassan Basira, Georgina Aoyem Ayisha and so many others.
Northern Ladies also has some players playing for the various national teams, they include Seidu Faiza, Issahaku Barikisu, Doris Akaheeh Afafa and Jafar Rahama.
Pearl Pia Ladies picked a point last time out against Supreme Ladies and will now turn their attention to defeating their City rivals for the three maximum points,and also claim the bragging rights.
A win for Coach Sumani Bashiru-Deen will give him a sight of relief after a disappointing start of the season.
He will also want to win the derby game as an appreciation for his appointment as the national U-15 female coach last week.
The last meeting between the two teams was a 0-0 draw at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium.
And now as closed as the points are,it will be a fierst contest between the two teams,as they all hope to move out from the bottom three positions.
By Saaka Yakubu Issah