1. Samartex has a 100% home record
Samartex has won every home game so far. They have scored 18 home goals and conceded 2. It is quite surprising to see a team win every home game. That is exactly what Samartex has done in the eight home games they have played in the 2023-24 Premier League season. Amadu Nurudeen’s Samatex is on top of the league log with 29 points won after the 3-0 massacre of Karela United.
2. Augustine Okrah’s impeccable form reminds us of his talent
Since returning to the Ghana Premier League from Simba SC in the summer, Okrah has been a wonderful addition to Bechem United. Augustine Okrah was an unused substitute in Berekum Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Nsoatreman in MD1. He has since then become a thorn in the flesh of every defence he has come across.
He scored the opening goal of Berekum United’s 3-0 thrashing of the inform Nations FC with a penalty in the 9th minute. Okrah has scored 9 important goals which has helped Bechem United narrow the gap to just 3 points to the top of the table.
3. Ga Mantse Derby ends in a goalless draw
The two humongous Accra clubs need a huge lift as their position on the league log doesn’t befit their status. A dull goalless draw at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium confirms how horrible the teams have been throughout the season. Hearts of Oak is 11th on the table with 18 points after 16 games while Great Olympics is lying 12th on the league table with 18 points won from 15 games. The two clubs’ main problems have been scoring goals as they have scored a combined 21 goals with the Phobians scoring 12 and Oly Dade scoring just 9.
4. Bashir Hayford’s first game ends in defeat for Heart of Lions
Legon Cities triumphed 1-0 over Heart of Lions in Dawu. Bashir Hayford commenced his reign as the new head coach of Heart of Lions with a 1-0 win to the inform Legon Cities. Paa Kwesi Fabian’s Legon Cities recorded their 4th consecutive win which has helped push them further up the table. Heart of Lions on the other hand is still winless in 14 games which is a major concern for all stakeholders of the club. Words cannot explain how horrible the Kpando-based club’s season has been thus far.
5. Kwadwo Amoako’s penalty secures a crucial three points for Medeama SC
The CAF Champions League commitment has made Medeama’s title defence a difficult one as they have 4 games in hand. Medeama resumed the Ghana Premier League after a month-long absence with a slim 1-0 win over Bibiani Gold Stars. The penalty kick was converted by the right back Kwadwo Amoakwa in the 71st minute to ease the tension and pressure on the team after the 3-0 defeat in Tanzania to Yanga.
6. Abdul Azi Issah is one for the future
The left-footed Abdul Aziz Issah levelled the score for Dreams in the Premier League game against Accra Lions in the 1-1 draw through free kick. The 18-year-old boy has a whole lot into his game as he can dribble, score long-range and also cover enough ground. Issah is a free-kick specialist as he showed in Dreams FC’s 1-0 win in Kumasi against Asante Kotoko. He has been dazzling in the CAF Confederation Cup scoring in his last three games including a wonderful curler in Angola against Academica Lobito. His talent is immense and he has all the ability to reach the top of the football world. He reminds me so well of Fatawu Ishahaku of Leicester City.
7. Shades of last season in Aduana Stars’ pursuit of the league title
Aduana Stars crumbled last season after playing the best football in the Premier League for a long period. The Ogya Boys after the injury of star man, Isaac Mintah, have been struggling to pick points. Aduana’s 1-0 defeat in the Bono derby against Nsoatreman means they have lost 4 in their last 6 games. Shadows of last season are what we are witnessing now as they were looking incredible in the early part of the season. Many pundits thought they were going to win the league even though it was too early but looking at how things are unfolding now, the Ogya Boys might not be able to challenge for the title.
8. Controversy overshadowed Kotoko’s 1-0 win over RTU
Three people were apprehended by the Asokwa Police for selling fake tickets per reports during Kotoko v RTU at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi. A 79th-minute penalty secured a 1-0 win for Asante Kotoko in a crunch clash against the beleaguered Real Tamale United. Asante Kotoko has yet to enter the top 4 but is separated from Samartex, the league leaders, by just 3 points. Asante Kotoko is 6th on the log.
