The Ghana Premier League delivered another captivating weekend of football as Week 26 unfolded with a mix of dramatic victories, hard-fought draws, and standout individual performances.
Hearts of Oak 1-0 Medeama SC
At the Accra Sports Stadium, Hearts of Oak returned to winning ways after they secured a vital 1-0 victory over a resilient Medeama SC side. The game’s defining moment came in the 22nd minute when Raphael Amponsah unleashed a belter of a goal—a thunderous strike from distance that left the Medeama goalkeeper with no chance. The Phobians held firm defensively in the second half, thwarting Medeama’s attempts to equalize and claiming three crucial points in their campaign.
Heart of Lions 1-1 Asante Kotoko
Up in Kpando, Heart of Lions and Asante Kotoko battled to a pulsating 1-1 draw. Kotoko struck first in stoppage time of the first half, with Just Blay finding the net just before the break (45+4’) to give the Porcupine Warriors a slender lead. However, Heart of Lions responded after the break, as Ali Fawzi rose highest to power home a header, leveling the score and ensuring the points were shared. Both sides had chances to win it late on, but the defenses stood tall.
Dreams FC 2-0 Goldstars
Dreams FC continued their impressive form with a commanding 2-0 win over Goldstars. Razak Salifu opened the scoring in the 35th minute, capitalizing on a swift counterattack to slot the ball past the keeper. Just before halftime, Izdeen Mohammed doubled the advantage in the 45th minute, finishing off a well-worked move to send the home fans into raptures. Dreams FC have now won their last 5 league games. Most points accumulated in the last 5 games than any other side. Goldstars struggled to find a way back in the second half, as Dreams’ defense held firm to secure a clean sheet and the victory.
FC Samartex 2-0 Accra Lions
FC Samartex showcased their attacking prowess with a 2-0 triumph over Accra Lions. The tone was set early when Emmanuel Mamah struck in the 2nd minute, catching the Lions’ defense off guard with a clinical finish. Akwasi Sarpong added a second in the 38th minute, weaving through defenders before firing home a beauty. Accra Lions pushed forward after the break but couldn’t breach Samartex’s resolute backline, leaving the home side to celebrate a well-earned win.
Young Apostles 0-0 Legon Cities
In a tightly contested affair, Young Apostles and Legon Cities played out a goalless stalemate. Both teams created chances, but stellar goalkeeping and last-ditch defending ensured the scoreline remained 0-0. The draw leaves both sides with mixed feelings—Young Apostles will rue missed opportunities, while Legon Cities will be satisfied with a point on the road.
Holy Stars 2-1 Berekum Chelsea
Holy Stars edged out Berekum Chelsea in a thrilling 2-1 encounter. The home side took the lead early, with their attacking intent paying off through a well-taken goal. Berekum Chelsea fought back to level the score, but Holy Stars regained the lead in the second half and held on despite a late onslaught from the visitors. The win boosts Holy Stars’ confidence as they look to climb the table.
Aduana FC 1-0 Vision FC
Aduana FC secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Vision FC in Dormaa. Richard Sackey proved to be the hero, scoring the only goal of the game in the 10th minute with a composed finish after a slick team move. Vision FC pressed for an equalizer throughout the match, but Aduana’s defense stood resolute, ensuring the three points stayed at home.
Standings Overview:
Asante Kotoko is leading the league with 46 points after 25 matches. Their goal difference of +12 (27-15) indicates a strong defense and a decent attack. They are in a strong position to win the league if they maintain this form.
Bibiani Gold Stars are just 2 points behind the leaders with 44 points. Their goal difference of +8 (24-16) is slightly worse than Asante Kotoko’s, but they are still in contention for the title, especially if they can close the gap in the remaining matches.
Heart of Lions has 41 points, 5 points behind the leaders. Their goal difference of +9 (26-17) is solid, but they’ll need a strong run of results to challenge for the top spot.
Hearts of Oak, another traditional powerhouse, is in 4th with 40 points. They have the best defensive record in the top 4, conceding only 14 goals, but their attack (21 goals) is the weakest among the top teams. They are 6 points off the lead.
Bechem United is tied with the next two teams on 39 points. Their goal difference of +9 (26-17) is identical to Heart of Lions, but they are behind on points. They are still in the race for a top-4 finish.
Nations FC also has 39 points but has played one fewer match (24) than most teams. Their goal difference of +11 (25-14) is impressive, and they could climb higher if they win their game in hand.
Medeama has 38 points with a goal difference of +4 (27-23). They’ve scored as many goals as Asante Kotoko (27), but their defense has been less solid, conceding 23 goals. They are 8 points off the lead.
Dreams has 36 points with a neutral goal difference (17:17). They’ve been balanced but lack the firepower to compete with the top teams, sitting 10 points behind the leaders.
Defending champions Samartex rounds out the table with 35 points and a goal difference of +4 (20:16). They are 11 points behind Asante Kotoko and are likely out of the title race but could aim for a higher mid-table finish.
First half of the table below
Key Observations:
1. Title Race: Asante Kotoko and Bibiani Gold Stars are the frontrunners, with Kotoko holding a slight edge. Heart of Lions, Hearts of Oak, and possibly Nations FC (with their game in hand) could still challenge if the top two slip up.
2. Defensive Strength: Hearts of Oak and Nations FC have the best defenses, conceding only 14 goals each. Asante Kotoko (15) and Samartex (16) are also strong defensively.
3. Offensive Output: Asante Kotoko and Medeama lead the scoring with 27 goals each, followed by Heart of Lions and Bechem United with 26 goals.
4. Mid-Table Battle: Teams like Bechem United, Nations FC, and Medeama are closely packed between 38-39 points, making the fight for a top-5 finish competitive.
5. Struggling Offense: Dreams has the weakest attack, scoring only 17 goals, which explains their lower position despite a decent defense.
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