1. Aboubakar Ouattara nears the exit door
Former Hearts of Oak forward, Charles Taylor prophesied on AP Sports ahead of the new season that Aboubakar Ouattara wil be the first coach to lose his job when the the new season starts. He even accurately predicted that he expects him to be jobless just after 3 weeks.
Two weeks is already gone with Hearts of Oak losing the two games played, scoring zero conceding three and languishing at the bottom of the table. The 2-0 defeat against Hearts of Lions in Kpando has worsened matters. Next is a home game against Bechem United at the Accra Sports Stadium and another defeat may send Aboubakar Ouattara to Ivory Coast.
2. Bashir Hayford’s Heart of Lions hit top form
It should have been 6 points from the two games but due to controversies in Dormaa Ahenkro, Heart of Lions lost two points in the 1-1 draw in matchday 1. Bashir Hayford was charged with a breach of Section 34 (6) (d) of the GFA Premier League Regulations for inappropriate comments after Aduana Stars scored in the 10th minute of extra time.
The experienced gaffer warned Hearts of Oak to be aware in their trip to “Slaughter House”. Interestingly, Phobia was slaughtered by Ishmeal Addo’s 89th minute strike assisted by former Phobia forward Obeng Junior. The 2-0 win for Heart of Lions shows that they have hit a top form and are ready to trouble the other teams.
3. Vision FC announces their vision to the GPL with a win away to Accra Lions
Nana Agyeman, the head coach of Vision FC recorded the club’s first win of the GPL history. Vision FC travelled to Accra Sports Stadium to face the runner up of the 2023-24 season, Accra Lions. Ibrahim Tanko’s men had lost 1-0 in the opening game of the season at Medeama SC. Many expected Accra Lions to bounce back against the newly promoted side Vision but surprisingly lost 2-0.
It is now three straight defeats in the GPL for Accra Lions spanning from last season. Vision won through Elijah Addai and Emmanuel Kyei Baffour’s goals. It revealed Vision’s vision for the season. They dream of big things and are not ready ro return to Division One.
4. Weekend of GOALLESS draws
7 games were played over the weekend, 2 were postponed due to the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup commitments from Samartex and Nsoatreman. Bechem United and Aduana Stars drew goalless on Sunday. Also, Young Apostles and Nations FC each failed to find the back of the net. Giant killers Holy Stars and Dreams played another goalles draw.
Goals have not been flowing in the 16 matches played in the Ghana Premier League so far. Just 6 goals were scored in the 7 games played. Almost half of the GPL teams are yet to score in the new campaign.
5. Kamaradini Mamudu to lead Medeaa to the promised land
Nana Adarkwa Gyasi, one of the popular voices behind the microphone on StarTimes coverage of the GPL for the last 5 seasons revealed last season that Medeama’s versatile right back has the capability to fill in the right back and left back positions for the Black Stars.
The 21-year-old former midfielder has been so sensational since joining Medeama from Tamale City in 2022. At the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, the defender made the difference against the Royals in Medeama’s slim win.
It was a precious three points won by the versatile defender. In Sowah and Fatawu’s absence, Mamudu Kamaradini is the man to lead Nebojsa Kapor’s Medeama for their second title in three seasons.
