It was a round full of drama and excitement in the Ghana Premier League as Aduana Stars slipped at home for the first time with a defeat to Dreams FC while Medeama inflicted more harm to King Faisal. Meanwhile, Hearts and Kotoko said an official goodbye to the title.
Here are five talking points from matchday 32 of the highly competitive league.
MEDEAMA A WIN AWAY FROM CLINCHING TITLE
After embarking on a remarkable run to the top of the table, Medeama SC could finally be rewarded with the ultimate prize having chased it for years.
Aduana Stars and Bechem United who could have prolonged Medeama’s success were all beaten over the weekend leaving the Yellow and Mauves in pole position to clinch the title.
However, if they hope to secure a convincing victory in Samreboi to be crowned champions, they will have to replicate a similar sensational away performance that saw them thrash Hearts of Oak. This time, they face a tough challenge against a Samartex side who are fighting to avoid relegation and will likely aim to remain compact and resilient at home.
Who said the Knee & Body slide was impossible on Ghanaian pitches?
This is Medeama SC forward, Jonathan Sowah skating after their 2-1 win against King Faisal to stay on top of the Ghana Premier League.
All slide be slide 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/m9CtUIKtjp
— Andydotcom (@Andydotcom_gh) May 27, 2023
ADUANA STARS UNDEFEATED HOME RUN ENDED
Aduana Stars finally saw their magnificent home run end when Dreams FC stunned them at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park on Saturday through Ali Huzaf’s goal.
Prior to the defeat, they were the only side to have remained undefeated at home in the competition, but Dreams FC ended their dreams of going unbeaten at home. The result didn’t only snap that record but also crushed their title hopes as Medeama now stand in pole position to win the championship.
The result also meant that no Ghana Premier League side could stay unbeaten at home for the entire season, unlike last season when both Bechem United and Karela United achieved that remarkable feat.
HEARTS OF OAK AND ASANTE KOTOKO OFFICIALLY OUT OF TITLE RACE
The inconsistencies of the champions of the two previous seasons, Hearts and Kotoko have cost them massively this season after finally missing out on their main target of winning the championship.
They had not even gone near the top of the table in recent weeks but were still mathematically possibly contenders until they both dropped points again on matchday 32 making the title battle now a three-horse race between, Medeama SC, Aduana Stars and Bechem United.
THE FRAGILE SITUATION OF KING FAISAL
All the odds are now against King Faisal with two matches to end the season. Their only lifeline in the competition is their head-to-head advantage over Tamale City because they are now six points away from the zone and would have to win their last two games and expect Great Olympics, as well as Tamale City, to lose in order to maintain their Ghana Premier League status. They would also have to hope for bad results for Karela United to survive.
In a nutshell, King Faisal will be confirmed relegated if they drop points in any of their last games.
DREAMS FC ON THE RISE IN FINAL DAYS AGAIN
Dreams FC seem to be carving a trademark for themselves as one of those teams which show up in the last days to secure their top-flight status.
Last season, they had not gone two games in a row without defeat in the second round of the season but showed up in the last five matches drawing twice, and winning three in a row to survive relegation.
Despite the fact that their second round of this campaign looks better, they are again producing amazing performances in the last days. They have now won three of their last four league matches which had to include the difficult task of beating Aduana Stars at the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park to end their opponents’ unbeaten home run.
