The 2024/2025 Ghana Premier League kicks off this weekend with mouth-watering fixtures set to usher in the new season. Premier League expert Shaban Mohammed (Mo Shaban) takes a look at the various permutations of the various clubs as the season promises fireworks.
Dreams FC will get us underway on Saturday in a fierce battle with defending champions FC Samartex 1996 at the Accra Sports Stadium while newly promoted side, Vision FC face Berekum Chelsea at the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex.
On Sunday, the Premier League will produce eye-catching games with Hearts of Oak facing newly promoted side Basake Holy Stars, Karela United playing Asante Kotoko, Nsoatreman FC hosting Young Apostles, Medeama SC locking horns with Accra Lions, Aduana FC taking on Heart of Lions, Gold Stars battling it out with Legon Cities while Nations FC face off with Bechem United.
What do we expect in the 2024-25 Ghana Premier League campaign?
New Managers, New Players
The three newly promoted sides have all appointed coaches for the coming season with Vision FC grabbing Nana Agyemang, Basake Holy Stars having Abdulai Gazale and Young Apostles appointing former Hearts of Oak and Aduana FC gaffer, Joseph Asare Badiako.
Bechem United have welcomed the return of Kwaku Danso as their trainer with Yaw Preko moving to Nsoatreman FC while karela United get a new coach in James Jimmy Corbllah.
However, there are plenty of new signings too, and the expectations are high for them ahead of the season.
Young Apostles have signed former WAFA SC and Medeama SC forward Daniel Lomotey on a free transfer, Clinton Opoku has also joined the newly promoted side on a free transfer with Eleven Wonders’ forward Emmanuel Amamu also joining.
Champions, FC Samartex 1996 signed three former Real Tamale United players – attacker Mohammed Alhassan Mankuyeli, midfielder Lord Hilary Adabo and winger Baba Kushibo.
Hearts of Oak completed the signing of Nations FC duo Asamoah Boateng Afriyie and Micheal Awuah Mensah with former Bibiani GoldStars winger Mawuli Wayo joining the Phobians on a three-year deal.
Asante Kotoko signed Emmanuel Antwi and Albert Amoah from Great Olympics, Samba Oniel from Congo and Nigerian winger Wisdom Bassey.
Dreams FC have captured former Hearts of Oak shot stopper Richmond Ayi and former Asante Kotoko midfielder Rocky Dwamena on permanent deals.
Heart of Lions signed former top scorer of the league, Abednego Tetteh with Michelle Sarpong and Kwadwo Obeng Junior also completing moves to the Kpando-based club.
Former Hearts of Oak duo Victor Aidoo and Benjamin York have also moved to Karela United ahead of the new season.
Bechem United center back Samul Osei Kuffuor made a big move to Nations FC while Augustine Okrah returns to Bechem United.
The Title race – Can FC Samartex 1996 defend their title?
In the last four seasons, no club has been able to defend their league title. Hearts of Oak won the title in the 202/2021 season and lost it to their bitterest rivals Asante Kotoko in the 2021/2022 season. Medeama SC were champions in the 2022/2023 season but the title slipped to the regional rivals FC Samartex 1996 in the 2023/2024 season.
Will FC Samartex defend the league title for the first time after all these seasons?
Asante Kotoko defended the league title in 2012, 2013, 2014 and are currently the last club with the record. The Porcupines have been tagged as one of the favorites for the league having signed key Premier League experience players.
Hearts of Oak narrowly escaped relegation last season and have signed some players expected to lead the team to keep their head coach Aboubakar Ouattara.
Medeama SC are also title contenders having won their first league title in the 2022-23 season with the signing of Andy Kumi Francis.
Here are the 18 Premier League teams for the new season.
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