The penultimate round of the first half of the Ghana Premier League on Sunday witnessed interesting results across the various leagues centres with the round producing fourteen goals from the seven games.
League leaders Kpando Hearts of Lions were handed a heavy away defeat at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park to Bechem United who put three unanswered goals past the visitors. Late first half goals from Darlvin Yeboah and Emmanuel Abban who later got a brace in the 72nd minute were just enough to secure all the three points for the “Hunters” in front of their home fans.
The win means Bechem have won their last six games and remain unbeaten in the last ten outings this term pushing Kasim Mingle’s side to the fourth place on the table with just a point adrift their today’s opponent who have 30points.
Despite suffering second defeat of the season Heart of Lions still sit atop of the table however their eight-game unbeaten streak collapses.
Elsewhere in Tarkwa, Asante Kotoko picked a vital point from their game against Medeama in a fierce clash. Returnee Kwame Poku headed home a perfect cross from Andrews Ntim Manu to put the Porcupines on the front footh in the 25th minute—his second in two games since joining.
Kamaradini scored in the 68th to canceled Kotoko’s first half lead. Both sides continued thereafter to get the second goal in a thrilling exchanges but the scoreline remained one all apiece to share the spoils on the afternoon. The Tarkwa base club are 7th placed with 25points with a game in hand.
Kotoko leapfrogs rivals Hearts of Oak to the fifth position despite having joint point of 28.
In Dormaa, Aduana Stars were stunned succumbing to a 1-0 defeat to defending champions FC Sarmatex 1996 to record their third home loss this season.—(lost 2-1 to Nations FC, 2-0 to Asante Kotoko). Aduana’s goalkeeper Masawudu Inusah had been shown a red card for misconduct in the 63rd minute before Solomon Agyei scored the only goal of the game in the 76th minute to earn all the marks for the visitors.
Aduana, 17points, are having a tough season as they are just three steps and three points away from the relegation zone.
Nations FC continued their impressive home run at the Dr Kwame Kyei’s Sports Complex as they mounted a five-star performance in a 3-1 victory against Basake Holy Stars.
Black Stars defender Razak Simpson, Emmanuel Annor and Faisal Charwatey who got his ninth goal of the season were all the scoresheet for Nations and Emmanuel Agyei got the only consolation for the visitors.
Nations FC’s home grounds has become fortress as they have lost only once this season which came at the hands of Berekum Chelsea last November.
Last Season’s MTN Cup winners Nsoatreman have for the first time this season been condemned to the relegation zone after losing narrowly to Vision FC who had drawn 1-1 all in their last two games against Young Apostles and Karela United.
Abdul Rauf Sulemana early first half goal was just enough to procure the maximum points for Vision FC. The win places them half way through the table as face Kumasi Asante next in Kumasi in two weeks time.
Nsoatreman have lost seven times this season. Five of which have come from away games reflecting how poor they have been on the road.
Elsewhere in Wenchi, at the Nana Abrefa Nketiah VII Park, Young Apostles returned to winning ways after brushing off Karela United, thanks to goals from Samuel Prempeh and Emmanuel Kyei in the both halves of the game. The newcomers had seen no wins in their previous four outings losing three and drawing one. (A 2-0 defeat to Medeama, 3-0 defeat to Holy Stars, a 1-1 draw to Vision FC and a 1-0 defeat to Heart of Lions)
It was a game for two identical strugglers at the Tuba Astro Turf but the home side Dreams FC got the better of Accra Lions who continue to live in crises both on and off the pitch. Kelvin Ashiale’s second half goal in the 70th minute ticked the three point box for the “Still Believe” boys. The win moves them from the relegation region to sixteenth position with sixteen points averaging just a point per game. Karim Zito must surely be under pressure to turn around the club’s fortunes in the second round.
Accra Lions remains the only team with least number of wins from the first sixteen games of the season—just two( 3-1 win against Nsoatreman in September and 1-0 win against Nations FC in December).
Accra Lions were reduced to 10 men after Edmond Amakye was given the early shower order in the 63rd minute for unlawful tackle. Yaw Acheampong who replaced Paa Kwesi Fabin loses his second game in charge as woes at the club continues.
Below is the standings after 16 round of matches.
The Ghana Premier League will pause for a week for the Round of 32 games of the MTN FA Cup starting from Friday, January 10, 2025 and return on January 17, 2025.
