Debibi United vs Bibiani GoldStars: Koukouras Expects Tough GPL Clash Tomorrow

Debibi United vs Bibiani GoldStars: Koukouras Expects Tough GPL Clash Tomorrow


Bibiani GoldStars head coach Petros Koukouras says his side must be prepared to "fight" when they face newly promoted Debibi United in the Ghana Premier League on Sunday, admitting the hosts have made their ground an uncomfortable place to visit.

GoldStars travel to Debibi for Matchday 7 with momentum finally building after a turbulent start to the season.

"No team has had it easy there"

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Koukouras was full of respect for the Premier League newcomers.

"Debibi is a newly promoted team, but very competitive. We have to expect a very tight game," he said.

"We've seen that all the teams that went there didn't have it easy, so we must go there and fight and continue the good performance we have started."

His assessment is backed by results. Debibi have turned their home stadium into a genuine fortress in their debut top-flight campaign.

On the opening weekend, they held record 25-time champions Asante Kotoko to a 2-2 draw - a statement result that announced their arrival.

Young Apostles fared even worse, suffering a comprehensive 3-0 defeat on their visit. To date, only Medeama have managed to win at Debibi, and even then it required a narrow, hard-fought 1-0 victory.

GoldStars turnaround

For GoldStars, the trip comes at a time when their season is beginning to stabilise under Greek tactician Koukouras.

The miners endured a nightmare opening, losing 1-0 away to Bechem United and then 2-1 at home to Hearts of Oak.

A thrilling 3-2 away win at Dreams FC in Matchday 3 offered hope, but inconsistency struck again with defeat in their fourth fixture.

The last two games, however, have shown resilience. A disciplined 0-0 draw away to Vision FC was followed by a convincing 2-0 home win over Basake Holy Stars last weekend - their first clean sheet of the season.

This has all the hallmarks of a classic newly-promoted vs established side battle. Debibi's physical, direct approach at home against GoldStars' recent defensive solidity under Koukouras.

With Debibi unbeaten at home against two of the league's bigger names and GoldStars unbeaten in two, something has to give at 15:00 GMT on Sunday.

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