1. Yaw Acheampong loses job after Kotoko’s defeat
It was obvious that one of Prosper Ogum Narteh and Yaw Joachim Acheampong was going to be in trouble after the game. Aduana Stars against Asante Kotoko in Dormaa-Ahenkro has become one of the most fiercely contested matches in the Ghanaian football calendar recently. Things were so bad for both coaches ahead of the game with Kotoko’s Prosper losing his previous four. Yaw Acheampong had won just one in five, making life difficult for the Ogya Boys. I predicted doom for anyone who was going to lose that fixture. Asante Kotoko won 2-0 on Sunday at the Nana Agyeman Badu ll Stadium, and in the early hours of Monday, Yaw Acheampong was sacked.
2. Nations FC’s home unbeaten run ends
It took 23 good games at the DR Kwame Kyei Sports Complex in Abrankese before Nations FC lost their first home game since gaining promotion to the GPL in 2023. Abrankese has been the perfect place for points for Nations as it has helped them feel comfortably good at the top flight. Stephen Amankona’s 18th-minute penalty made the difference for Samuel Boadu’s Berekum Chelsea. The defeat means Nations FC has dropped into second place and may need another long unbeaten run at home to challenege for the title.
3. Accra Hearts of Oak will rue dropping points against Nsoatreman
On paper, the fixture against Nsoatreman on Saturday night at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium was Hearts of Oak’s easiest game of the year 2024 but the trickiest. It was the easiest because Nsoatreman has lost all 5 away games played in the GPL this season, while Accra Hearts of Oak had won their last three league games. Their forms made it a winnable game for Phobia but it was always going to be risky because the teams that are suffering much have proved to be stubborn when meeting in-form sides. Legon Cities and Dreams have done it against Asante Kotoko, Medeama and Bibiani Gold Stars, so it was so tricky for Phobia. Aboubakar Ouattara’s side will regret not picking up all the three points. Nsoatreman drew 1-1 against Hearts of Oak, as it was their first point away from home this season.
4. Karela picks up an important three points against Dreams
It is too early to call it a relegation six-pointer, but it had all the elements to be referred to. Dreams and Karela have lurked around the foot of the table all season and they needed the three points to boost their confidence. Karela scored in the 85th minute through Najib Ibrahim to stun Dreams FC. Karela now sits in 13th place with a point ahead of the Still Believe who sits a place above the relegation zone.
5. Accra Lions are last on the table at the end of the one-third stage
Many predicted Accra Lions to finish within the Top 4 because of the performance they put up last season. They finished second in the 2023-24 season. Accra Lions was simply sensational. In the 12 games played thus far this season, they have won just one, lost five and drawn 6. The two-week break must be used by the technical staff to sort things out, or else they will be in a huge battle to survive. Accra Lions sitting 18th on the league table is very shocking.
