Young Apostles captain Ramzy Abubakar says the club is fully prepared for a demanding Bono derby against newly promoted Debibi United in the Ghana Premier League on Sunday.
The Wenchi-based side will travel to Debibi for their third league fixture of the 2026/27 campaign, with Abubakar confident that his teammates are ready for the intensity and pressure that comes with a regional derby.
“We are very well prepared and we are still preparing because playing against Debibi United is a bono derby so it comes with a lot of things. We are very well prepared and we are still preparing ahead of the game.”
Ramzy Abubakar, Captain, Young Apostles FC
The encounter will also mark the first competitive meeting between Young Apostles and Debibi United in the Ghanaian top flight, adding another layer of significance to a fixture that could be tightly contested.
Debibi United will play at the Debibi Presby Park for the first time this season after hosting their opening home fixture at Golden City Park in Berekum, where they held Asante Kotoko to a 2-2 draw.
Young Apostles, meanwhile, enter the game with renewed confidence after recovering from their opening-day defeat to Vision FC with a narrow 1-0 victory over Basake Holy Stars in Wenchi last weekend.
Despite Debibi’s winless start, which includes the draw against Kotoko and a 1-0 defeat to Swedru All Blacks, Abubakar expects the home side to provide a stern test, particularly with their supporters behind them.
Abubakar Targets First Away Victory
The Young Apostles captain acknowledged that playing at Debibi’s home ground will make the assignment even more difficult, but insisted that his team has set clear objectives for the campaign.
“It will be a very, very, very tough game,” Abubakar told The Vault News. “They played Kotoko. They were the hosting team, but they played in Berekum but this weekend, they are playing at their home ground, that is in Debibi and they will be playing in front of their supporters so yeah, it’ll be tough.”
The 2025/26 Premier League campaign showed Young Apostles’ ability to compete after gaining promotion, and Abubakar believes the club’s standards remain unchanged despite the challenge of facing another newly promoted side.
He revealed that the players have established a particular target when facing teams that have recently earned promotion to the top flight.
“Since we came into the Ghana Premier League, no promotional team that has gained promotion to the Premier League has scored us. So, we are still maintaining that and we are assuring our supporters, going to Debibi, we are going in for three points.”
Ramzy Abubakar, Captain, Young Apostles FC
That ambition reflects Young Apostles’ desire to secure their first away victory of the season, having suffered defeat on their opening trip of the campaign to Vision in Terms on opening day.
A victory would also give the visitors an early boost as they seek to build momentum following their recovery against Basake Holy Stars.
Captain Calls For Continued Support
While the focus remains on Sunday’s derby, Abubakar also used the opportunity to send a message to the club’s supporters, urging them to maintain their backing throughout the season.
Young Apostles enjoyed strong support during their promotion campaign and subsequent debut season in the Premier League, and the captain believes that continued encouragement will be important as the club attempts to establish itself at the highest level.
“What I want to tell all our fans who are here or across Ghana, they should keep on supporting. We know what they have been doing for us. Our supporters are very, very massive. They have always been praying for us, supporting us, cheering us up, even in hard times.”
Ramzy Abubakar
He further promised that supporters would see a different Young Apostles side this season, with the players determined to raise their level of commitment. “I have said it earlier, they will see new Apostles this season. We are ready to sacrifice, we are ready to work hard, die for the club,” he added.
With both sides looking to establish themselves early in the campaign, Sunday’s Bono derby carries significance beyond the three points.
For Debibi United, it represents their first Premier League appearance at their own home venue. For Young Apostles, it offers an opportunity to claim their first away win and maintain their unbeaten record against newly promoted opposition.
The stage is therefore set for a historic first meeting between the two clubs, with Abubakar and his teammates heading to Debibi determined to return to Wenchi with maximum points.
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