Five talking points from matchday 23 of 2024-25 Ghana Premier League

The Ghana Premier League returned after a long pause due to the tragic demise of an Asante Kotoko fan on matchday 19 in Nsoatreman.

As the league returned for the first time since February 2, it was normal service for some teams while others continued to struggle.

Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak won their respective games as both sides look to finish the season strongly.

3Sports takes a look at five talking points from the weekend’s action.

 

Kotoko pay homage to late fan with a resounding win

After the game, Asante Kotoko’s coach Prosper Ogum, admitted his side was rusty and lacked sharpness against Legon Cities on Sunday.

To a large extent, Ogum was right but that was not the story on the day.

Kotoko eased their way to a 2-0 win over Legon Cities without breaking a sweat nor kicking out of third gear.

Patrick Asiedu and Kwame Opoku got the goals for the Porcupine Warriors, a victory the team dedicated to late fan ‘Nana Pooley.’

The general feelimg around the club is, from hence, every game will be considered as a final -and as their name indicates, ‘Porcupine Warriors,’ we might see the players battle and run after every lost course on the pitch.

Ogum’s candour about his team may have been about the larger picture because, with all due respect, rooted in the relegation zone, Legon Cities threat is not what he is looking at.

A trip to Samartex awaits Kotoko next in the league, but there’s a small matter of an FA Cup round of 16 tie against Sekondi Eleven Wonders before.

After temporarily relinquishing top spot to Hearts of Oak before their game, Kotoko are back on top of the league with 37 points and look dangerous.

 

Strong finish makes Hearts of Oak title contenders

It was gloomy for Accra Hearts of Oak, who picked up a paltry 11 points from an available 21 in their first seven games.

The refrain from coach Aboubakar Ouattara and supporters of the club was: We want to avoid what happened to us last season.

By that, they meant they wanted to avoid finishing in the relegation zone.

That season (2023/24), which Hearts of Oak dread so much, they needed a final day 3-2 victory against Bechem United to maintain their Ghana Premier League status.

But a lot has happened since that time. Yet, Ouattara isn’t getting ahead of himself. The manager remains grounded, keeping his plans under wraps.

When asked about Hearts’ title ambitions he said, “Let’s wait for June 8,” referring to the climax of the league.

In their last seven games, their performances adds gloss to the coach’s remark.

Hearts have picked up 17 points from an available 21, including five wins and two draws.

Their mini unbeaten streak is propelling the Phobians to impressive heights.

In fact, since losing to Kotoko in the Super Clash in December 2024, Hearts are yet to lose in the league.

Their only defeat came in the round of 16 penalty shootout exit to Golden Kick.

One point behind league leaders Kotoko and GoldStars, Hearts are firmly in the mix.

 

New manager bounce working wonders for Medeama 

Medeama are profiting from the new manager ripple effect.

With two wins from two, Ibrahim Tanko has a 100% record as Medeama boss.

Prior to his appointment, the Mauves and Yellows were on a four-game winless run, losing two and drawing two.

However, he’s breathed life into their last two games, picking up six points against Legon Cities and in-form Bechem United.

In that time, Medeama have scored four goals – as many as they did in their last five games before Tanko’s appointment, and more than they have in their last four games.

The idea is quite clear from Tanko.

Contrary to players struggling to adapt to his predecessors tactics, Tanko has instilled belief in his squad, allowing them to play with a lot of freedom, which is evident in the results.

They are five points off the top of the table and a decent run of results could see them move from sixth into the title conversation.

 

Uninspiring stadium attendance

Not that fans were thronging the grounds, neither was the Ghana Premier League having sold out games before ‘Nana Pooley’s’ demise.

But after the incident, it will take something mirifical to get fans cheering their teams again.

The two major exhibits to add sheen to the low attendance were at Kotoko and Hearts of Oak’s games.

Hearts took to the pitch 24 hours before Kotoko in front of a virtually empty stadium, with only the ‘VIP’ area having people seated there.

It was no different from Kumasi, where a handful of supporters sat in the same area (VIP) to witness Kotoko and Legon Cities.

It was almost like the lockdown protocols from 2020 had been reinstated with players’ shouts heard audibly.

The desolate nature at the grounds was so much so that your voice could reverberate from one end to the other.

Safety protocols enacted?

This was what everyone wanted to see. Were the enhanced protocols that the Ghana Football Association has held in high esteem enacted?

The answer is yes and no.

Some teams, without meeting the prerequisite safety requirements, were given a temporary reprieve.

Hearts of Oak was the first team to fall foul to the new rules, with the GFA claiming unauthorised persons made merry in where they shouldn’t.

In Kumasi, Asante Kotoko and Legon Cities fully complied with the new regulations and so did Medeama and Bechem United.

In the long-term, these requirements are put in place to resuscitate the ailing product, Ghana football.

The post Five talking points from matchday 23 of 2024-25 Ghana Premier League first appeared on 3News.

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