Hasaacas, Gold Stars battle for last premiership ticket

Sunday will be decision day for former premiership campaigners, Sekondi Hasaacas and Bibiani Gold Stars as they clash at the Accra Sports Stadium for the last ticket to the Glo Premier League next season.

The two sides made winning starts to their zonal playoff last Wednesday to set up a crucial battle in the national capital to determine which side joins Inter Allies and Bechem United to the elite division next season.

Hasaacas as they kicked off their Zone 2 promotion campaign with a 2-0 win over city rivals, Eleven Wise at the Accra Sports Stadium, while Gold Stars beat Tarkwa United 2-0 at the Tema Stadium.

The Giants of the West cruised to victory through a goal in each half from Samuel Afful and Richard Yamoah to give the Giants from the West maximum points in the battle of the Sekondi giants.

Hasaacas, who exited the elite division at the same time with Wise three seasons ago, gave their hopes of a return to the top flight a major boost with a convincing win at the expense their rivals.

With the likes of ex-Black Stars goalie George Owu and Frederick Quayson of Asante Kotoko fame in the Hasaacas line-up, they got off well and Wise had to chase their shadows for a greater part of the opening minutes.

Yamoah and Afful were a mouthful for the Wise rear, which remained busier throughout the half.

In the 27 minute, Afful broke the deadlock with a fierce shot from close range. After profiting from a long pass, he beat two defenders of Wise before unleashing a thunderbolt that goalie Stephen Enchill had no answers to.

Hasaacas remained in control of the game and three minutes into the second half, Yamoah doubled the lead. Quayson trapped the ball nicely from an Afful pass, squared Yamah, who controlled before slotting it past onrushing Enchill.

Wise lifted up their game but it was late as their efforts at the equaliser failed to yield dividends.

Hasaacas share the top spot with Gold Stars as they both won by the same margin. Their clash on Sunday in Accra will prove crucial in determining which side grabs the sole qualification slot from the zone.