Sports
Benjamin Asare, Razak Simpson set new standards …as Samartex emerges 13th winner of competition
The 2023/24 Ghana Premier League produced a 13th different winner in the history of the competition following Medeama SC’s inability to retain the title.
The Tarkwa lads finished eighth in the just ended campaign as they were ‘overthrown’ by Sameraboi based, FC Samartex 1996.
Statistics released by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) confirmed three clubs, Accra Great Olympics, Bofoakwa Tano and Real Tamale United as sides to have suffered relegation while, FC Samartex 1996, Accra Lions, Berekum Chelsea and Nsoatreman FC finished in the top four.
FC Samartex successfully won the Premier League title for the first time to become the 13th different winner of the competition having qualified for the elite league only two seasons ago. They finished the season with 61 points – same points as Accra Accra Hearts of Oak in the 2021/22 season. Record holders, Asante Kotoko, lifted the 2021-22 League title with 67 points, while Medeama SC won the trophy with 60 points last season.
Abrankese based, Nations FC, played in the Premier League for the first time yet set an impressive record as the only unbeaten side at home.
Kasim Mingle’s team won 10 and drew 7 in 17 home games at the Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex. Striker Stephen Amankona is the second Berekum Chelsea player to win the top scorers award with 19 goals as he joins Kofi Owusu who scored the same number of goals (19) to win the golden boot in 2015. Stephen Amankona also becomes the second best top scorer in the last four League seasons – three goals behind Yaw Annor who netted 22 in the 2021-22 season.
Berekum Chelsea’s Stephen Amankona made the headlines with his goal scoring prowess as he ended the season with 19 goals with Steven Mukwala Desse of Asante Kotoko netting 14 goals of which nine were scored on the road.
Agyenim Boateng Mensah of Dreams FC scored 14 goals –his best performance in the League since his move from Division One side, Nzema Kotoko. Ebenezer Abban of Heart of Lions scored 13 goals to become the most prolific defender in the last four years.
Benjamin Asare completed the season with 16 clean sheets yet suffered relegation with Accra Great Olympics after the ‘Dade Boys’ finished in the bottom three. Asare becomes the first goalkeeper in the last four seasons to be relegated after winning the golden gloves.
Still on Benjamin Asare, he is the League’s second best goalkeeper in terms of clean sheets in the last two seasons. Only Iddrisu Abdulai, formerly of Bechem United, has a better record of 18 clean sheets in the 2021-22 season.
Among the debutants in the Ghana Premier League, Hamza Issah who joined Hearts of Oak from feeder club, Auroras, scored 13 goals in his debut campaign. Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban also netted 13 goals in his first League season having played a role in the Kpando Boys’ return to the Ghana Premier League.
Heart of Lions centre back, Ebenezer Abban, scored nine goals from the spot to equal Vincent Atinga Addae’s record (9 goals) for Medeama SC in the 2022-23 Ghana Premier League.
Among the 18 Premier League teams, only Accra Lions played the entire season without a single goal from a spot kick. Heart of Lions were awarded the most (11) penalties this season.
Great Olympics goalkeeper, Benjamin Asare, featured in the League more than any other player with 3,258 minutes. Nine of the top 10 players with the most League appearance are defenders with one goalkeeper in the list.
Nations FC defender, Razak Simpson, won the NASCO Man of the Match awards more than any other player. The former WAFA Centre back bagged seven Man of the Match awards in his debut campaign with Nations FC.
The 2023/24 season recorded 628 goals, one more than the 2021-22 season which had 627 goals. The 2020-21 season produced 691 goals (highest in the last four years) with the 2022/23 season following in second place with 644 goals.
Matchday 4 and Matchday 24 recorded the least number of goals in the season (11), while Matchday 8 had 28 goals (the highest in the season) with a total of 628 goals scored in the just ended campaign.
Accra Great Olympics, Medeama SC and Heart of Lions had the cleanest of sheets in the season (16). While, League Champions, FC Samartex, Nsoatreman FC and Berekum Chelsea had 15 clean sheets each in the season.
Nsoatreman FC and Asante Kotoko SC recorded five away wins each to end the season as teams with most away wins.
Clubs with the most goals scored, included champions FC, Samartex (45), Dreams FC (44) and Aduana FC (43).
Ghana Premier League record holders, Asante Kotoko, scored 17 away goals this season with Steven Mukwala Desse netting nine of the goals. (Record away goal scoring form by a player in the League).
Relegated Real Tamale United lost 21 games (worst record by a club in the League), Aduana FC lost 16 games having finished in fifth place.
Bofoakwa Tano, who suffered relegation, recorded 15 draws – the highest in the League. Heart of Lions, Accra Hearts of Oak, Bechem United and Accra Great Olympics occupy the top five spots.
Also, League Champions, FC Samartex, won 19 games in the league with 16 of them coming at home and three others on the road.
Accra Lions played the entire season without receiving a red card but Legon Cities and Nsoatreman recorded six red cards each. (Season’s worst record).
Thirty-One (31) centre referees officiated 306 Ghana Premier League games with Julian Nunoo officiating 17 of the games – the highest of the season. Juliet Appiah is the only female centre referee to officiate in this seasons League.
Sports
Ampem Darkoa, Sung Shinning seek crucial wins in Northern Zone of Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League
Ampem Darkoa Ladies return home after shocking exit from the Women’s FA Cup at the hands of Division One side Rootz Sistaz.
Despite this setback, the former champions remain unbeaten in the Women’s Premier League, following a draw with Northern Ladies in their last fixture.
Meanwhile, bottom-placed Sung Shining Ladies, based in Wa, will host Northern Ladies, aiming to secure maximum points and escape the relegation zone.
Here is what to expect in the Northern Zone:
Sung Shining Ladies FC vs. Northern Ladies FC
Sung Shining Ladies FC will host Northern Ladies FC, seeking to bounce back from their FA Cup quarterfinal disappointment. The home side has struggled to maintain leads in recent matches. Northern Ladies FC will look to continue their momentum and move up the table.
Ampem Darkoa Ladies vs. Kumasi Sports Academy
Ampem Darkoa Ladies will shift their focus to the premier league after a shocking FA Cup exit. They remain unbeaten in the league and will look to maintain their run against Kumasi Sports Academy, who are struggling in 8th position.
Tamale Super Ladies vs. Fosu Royal Ladies
Tamale Super Ladies will seek a second consecutive win when they host Fosu Royal Ladies. The Super Ladies are fifth in the table, while Fosu Royal Ladies are fourth. A win could push Tamale Super Ladies into the top four.
Dreamz Ladies vs. Prison Ladies
Dreamz Ladies will take on Prison Ladies in an electrifying encounter. Both teams have shown impressive form, and this clash promises to be a thrilling display of determination.
Supreme Ladies vs. Savannah Ladies
Supreme Ladies will clash with Savannah Ladies at the Bantama Astro Turf. Both teams are seeking to improve their standing in the league table. Supreme Ladies are bottom of the table and will look to pick maximum points at home.
Sports
Hasaacas Ladies face off against Police Ladies in Southern Zone as Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League returns
The Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League resumes this weekend with Match Day 12, featuring highly anticipated clashes. In the Southern Zone, leaders Hasaacas Ladies face off against second-placed Police Ladies in a thrilling encounter that promises to be a highlight of the weekend.
Two points separate the two teams as Police Ladies trail record holders Hasaacas Ladies in the title race. Meanwhile, Halifax Ladies will host struggling Berry Ladies, with the home team seeking maximum points to improve their league standing.
Here is what to expect in the Southern Zone:
Epiphany Warriors vs. LadyStrikers
Epiphany Warriors, currently 4th with 21 points, face LadyStrikers, who sit 6th in the table with 13 points. Despite their standings, LadyStrikers have shown they can compete against tougher opponents following an impressive showing against the top three teams.
Epiphany Warriors are poised to start as favorites, but they must remain cautious of LadyStrikers’ formidable quality.
Soccer Intellectuals vs. Jonina Ladies
Soccer Intellectuals, struggling with 2 wins and 2 draws from 10 games, host Jonina Ladies, who recently booked an FA Cup semi-final berth.
Soccer Intellectuals vs. Jonina Ladies
Soccer Intellectuals, struggling with 2 wins and 2 draws from 10 games, host Jonina Ladies, who recently booked an FA Cup semi-final berth with a 5-1 win.
Police Ladies vs. Hasaacas Ladies
League leaders Hasaacas Ladies face Police Ladies, who aim to reclaim the top spot on home turf. Hasaacas Ladies are favorites following their Women’s FA Cup quarter-final heroics. They lead the table with 24 points – two points ahead of their host going into this epic clash.
Halifax Ladies vs. Berry Ladies
New entrants Halifax Ladies, seeking consistency, face strugglers Berry Ladies, who are deeply, rooted at the bottom of the Southern Zone standings.
Faith Ladies vs. Army Ladies
Faith Ladies, with 8 points, host Army Ladies, who are enjoying a strong campaign in fifth place with 20 points. Army Ladies will aim to extend their unbeaten run.
