ONETOUCH LEAGUE - Another season is here

ANOTHER football season is here with us again and the Onetouch Premier league, which kicks off this weekend, promises to be very exciting. The PLB has changed its name from the Professional League Board to the Premier League Board and with the new name, I want to believe will come new things. The league was very competitive last term even though there's more room for improvement. The structure of our league has seen considerable improvement in these few years and the credit, of course should go to the Premier League Board and the Ghana Football Association. The league now commands a huge sponsorship package from title sponsors Onetouch and with their new package of 25 million Ghana cedis, it's a big plus to the PLB. Even though I commend the PLB on the massive changes effected in our league structure, I seriously do not understand why we cannot put aside a huge prize money for the eventual winners. Winning the league should come with a huge financial reward which will make it worthy in winning it and not just a trophy and a mere 100 million cedis. This is one of many reasons why most teams do not fancy opting for the CAF organized club competitions after they clinch a Top 4 place. The clubs are always in a haste to share the sponsorship money that we hardly have time to think of what makes it financially attractive in winning the league title.

ASANTE KOTOKO: I would like to congratulate the management of Kumasi Asante Kotoko for a wonderful work done. Winning the league for some clubs is an achievement but to the Kotoko fan, it's an obligation. The management won the 2007/08 season's league in flamboyant style with a then ground breaking 3 million dollar sponsorship package (before Hearts stunned the world with their renewal deal with MTN) from TiGo. They have done well, but the greater portion of the praises should be directed to their unsung hero, Coach Bashir Hayford who introduced a different brand of attractive football to the team. So it's quite sad that he had to be shown the exit from the Porcupine family as his reward… all the same, life must go on. His replacement, Maurice Cooreman, now has the onerous responsibility of retaining the league and most importantly, making it into the group stages of the CAF Champions League and possibly win it. It should however be noted that, Cooreman couldn't win the Nigerian league with Enyimba FC though he did a remarkable job with less fancied Ocean Boys FC. His first attempt in the Champions League came to an abrupt end with a first round elimination but managed to get Enyimba into the semi-finals (this season) before losing out to eventual winners, Al Ahly. The good thing is that, the winning team is still intact and the management has also secured quality players to beef up the squad for both domestic and continental competitions. With players like Alex Asamoah, Frederick Quayson, Louis Quainoo, Louis Agyemang and others joining forces with the likes of Eric Bekoe, Jordan Opoku, Prince Anokye, Kojo Poku, Samuel Inkoom and the likes, Kotoko fans will accept nothing than the league and a semi-final Champions League berth.

HEARTS OF OAK: The dust seems to have finally settled in the Phobian family; meaning Coach Kosta Papic and his charges will be well focused to put the smiles back on the faces of the die-hard Phobian fans. The fans cannot accept another disappointing season as to many of them, this season should be a mirror reflection of the success they chalked in 2000. The team has had its own notable additions with new recruits like the impressive David Anars, Nortey Tetteh, Philemon McCarthy and the rest. I see Hearts of Oak making a strong case for the title this season but another Top 4 place failure and I'm afraid the fans will take the management on.

HEART OF LIONS: Lions will be the team to watch as serious title contenders. Last year, they were victims to referees who had terrible days in the office but nonetheless fought hard for a Champions League spot. I do not know how they can combine both the league and the Champions league competitions but with the experience in the side and the outstanding signings made, surely the Kpando lads will have a point to prove. Signing Daniel Yeboah is a big boost to complement the likes of Edmund Owusu-Ansah who is one of the finest midfielders in the country. To Lions, I see it as a big challenge to play in both the league and the Champions League and do well but I can predict a Top 4 position for them.

To the other teams unfortunately, I cannot go through with my individual team preview as space will not permit me but it's my hope that, this season surpasses that of last with outstanding play of football with less hooliganism at the various stadia. I also hope that officiating will improve to forestall the negative tendency of bribery allegations that has become part and parcel of our game. 90 Minutes wishes all the teams the very best of luck.