Ghana Premier League Matchday 1 wrap: Kotoko, AshGold secure three points
The first round of matches in the 2021/2022 season saw a lot of excitement, disappointment and fascinating performances across all league centers.
Debutants Accra Lions hosted Elmina Sharks at the Accra Sports Stadium were able to secure their first-ever points in the Ghana Premier League as the game ended 1-1.
On Saturday, Kumasi Asante Kotoko came from behind to beat Dreams FC 3-1 with wonderkid Abdul Fatawu Issahaku marking his debut season in the top flight for Dreams FC with a goal of the season contender.
Defending champions Accra Hearts of Oak were held to a 0-0 draw by Legon Cities.
Following their exit from the CAF Champions League qualifiers last weekend, the Phobians were hoping to start their title defence on a higher note but good defending from the Royals ensured Hearts of Oak couldn’t materialise that as they now go winless in each of their first games in the last 5 seasons.
Bechem United annihilated Medeama 4-0 in an action-filled match in which both teams were reduced to ten men.
After Emmanuel Avornyo opened the scoring, Francis Twene grabbed a brace before Augustine Okrah scored a world-class goal to seal the win and announce his return to the Hunters.
Just before the halftime break, both teams had a man sent off with Abdul Karim (Bechem) and Baba Musah (Medeama) seeing red for an off the ball incident.
Karela United and Aduana Stars played out a 1-1 draw at the Cosby Awuah Memorial Park with former Kotoko captain Emmanuel Gyamfi scoring his first goal for Aduana after he joined them from Asante Kotoko.
At the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, King Faisal pipped WAFA 1-0, with Zubairu Ibrahim getting the winner four minutes from time.
The same game saw WAFA forward Marvin Owusu sent off in the 52nd minute for a second yellow card.
It was pure joy in Bibiani and surrounding towns as Bibiani Gold Stars secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Berekum Chelsea in their first game in the top flight.
Kingsford Boafo’s second-half strike was enough to give Michael Osei’s men a dream start to life in the GPL.
Eric Esso’s got things running for Ashanti Gold as an 83rd-minute goal was enough to secure all three points for the miners away to Techiman Eleven Wonders.
The last game of the round was at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale where it ended 1-1 between Real Tamale United and Accra Great Olympics.
In all, 17 goals were scored across 9 matches with 5 wins and 4 draws.
Full Results below:
Accra Lions 1-1 Elmina Sharks
Dreams FC 1-3 Asante Kotoko
Hearts of Oak 0-0 Legon Cities
Bechem United 4-0 Medeama Sc
Bibiani GoldStars 1-0 Berekum Chelsea
King Faisal 1-0 WAFA
Karela 1-1 Aduana FC
Eleven Wonders 0-1 AshGold
Real Tamale United 1-1 Great Olympics
