Sports
Brand new car for Best Referee not bad idea, but …
Debates about referee decisions are part of the unique culture of football for both players and supporters alike.
Mistakes as a referee, will always happen; such controversy keeps making football more fun to watch.
Indeed, referees have a split second to make a decision and will never always get it right. Of course, no one is calling for perfection. No one is flawless!
However, some of the referees make such atrocious decisions that make you wonder whether they are even fit enough to handle juvenile football.
Now, we have reached a stage where the centre-men should be given no room to make ‘killer’ mistakes and just walk away, leaving in their trail irreparable damage on the affected teams.
That is why one was thrilled by the announcement of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) that the Best Referee of the 2021/22 Premier League season would swagger away with a brand new car. It is good enough motivation.
According to the GFA, the prize will encourage referees to put their best foot forward in the upcoming league season which kicked off last Friday.
“For the Ghana Premier League (GPL), the best referee for the year will take home a car at the end of the season. I’m very sure that our referees will be happy,” said GFA President Kurt Okraku, during the GPL launch, three days ahead of the opener.
“The whole idea is to encourage our referees to be competitive and deliver top-notch performances over the course of the season,” he added.
About 90 Referees and Assistants were selected by the Referees Committee and underwent various training programmes for the 2021/22 campaign, and one expects to see a credible performance from them to make the game dirt-free and more enjoyable.
For such Nights-of-the-Whistle, they should not only be thinking about the ultimate prize (car), but be concerned about the image they live behind – several years after they had retired from the game.
Sixteen years after ‘hanging his famous whistle,’ Italian former football referee, Pierluigi Collina, is still broadly considered to be the best football referee of all time.
The instantly recognisable Collina, a no-nonsense Italian referee – known for his famous bald head and piercing eyes, remains one of the most respected figures in football, 16 years after handing in his shock resignation from officiating, aged 45.
In a glittering 28-year career of refereeing, he took charge of Champions League, World Cup and UEFA Cup finals but for many, it was Collina’s larger-than-life personality that earned him such a respected stature.
He demanded, and in turn, earned respect from players, managers and fans around the world.
If a player decided to misbehave, the Italian would take action, but he was always fair and reasonable.
“You have to be accepted on the field of play not because you are the referee, but because people trust you,” Collina said after retirement.
“This means you can reach the best result a referee can reach, which is to be accepted even when he is wrong.”
This calm but stern approach to officiating earned him FIFA’s “Best Referee of the Year” award six consecutive times between 1998 and 2003.
Indeed, he redefined a role that was previously seen by many as dull.
It is the hope of many that our referees would look up to Collina and some of the finest ‘centre-men’ in the business, to carve out their own niche.
As a matter of fact, we do not need referees to be baited with a brand new car to do their own job. It is not fair. Coming to the pitch with a clean intention of being professional and fair-minded to all, in itself, should serve as enough motivation.
Be that as it may, one can only wish the referees well and hope they repay the trust reposed in them by the FA and the football populace. They must endeavour not to be the reason for which many football enthusiasts would swear not to patronize local football. Again, that would be unjust.
Aside from that, referees would be saving themselves from the unwarranted physical attacks they are often subjected too on the field – and the bout of public criticisms, if they perform their duties proficiently. For now, the ball is in their court to prove us wrong.
PlainTalk with JOHN VIGAH
Sports
Ghana Premier League Returns with Fresh Signings, New Coaches and High Expectations
The Ghana Premier League (GPL) is back for the 2025/26 season, promising one of the most competitive campaigns yet. Clubs across the country have strengthened their technical teams and recruited a blend of youth and experience as they aim to improve their squads and challenge for honours.
Our GPL Statistician, Shaban Mohammed provides a rundown of how clubs have shaped up in the preseason ahead of Friday’s kickoff.
Defending Champions Gold Stars Ready for Title Defence
Gold Stars, reigning league champions, have reinforced their squad in all departments. Backup goalkeeper Kwadwo Osei Bonsu joins to compete with Emmanuel Kobi, while the attack has been bolstered with Sampson Eduku, Prince Opoku Agyemang, Emmanuel Agyenim Boateng, and Burkinabé international Sanou Razack. Midfield stalwarts Francis Twene, Emmanuel Fosu Kyei, Emmanuel Kontor, Emmanuel Agyei, and Emmanuel Kojo Addy are expected to be pivotal. The champions head into the season on a high after lifting the Ghalca Top Four trophy.
Kotoko, Hearts and Lions Eye the Crown
Asante Kotoko also have their sights firmly set on the league title. Under coach Abdul Karim Zito, the Porcupine Warriors won the President’s Cup against Hearts of Oak, the Toyota Cup against Kaizer Chiefs, and the Champion of Champions match over Gold Stars. Key arrivals include goalkeeper Dari Aziz Haruna from Bechem United, Walid Fuseini, Sahyibu Abubakari, Musah Hamzata, Joseph Amoah, and Guinean striker Morifing Donzo.
Hearts of Oak are undergoing a resurgence under new head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani. After winning the Homowo and Democracy Cups and finishing joint-top of the GHALCA Top Four, the Phobians have strengthened their side with goalkeeper Solomon Agbasi, forward Prince Kwabena Owusu, Ali Mohammed, Paaku George, Rocky Dwamena, Abdul Karim, Frank Abora Duku, Baba Adamu, and Henry Kwaku Boateng.
Heart of Lions are also in the mix for the title after a strong pre-season. They have added Dennis Korsah, Chauncy Freeman, Michael Noumon, Yaw Polo, Emmanuel Anokye, and Faisal James to their squad.
Aduana FC, Karela United Lead Transfer Rush
Aduana FC were among the most active in the transfer window, signing experienced goalkeeper Obeng Sekyere Gregory from Berekum Chelsea, forward Mizack Afriyie, and striker Remember Adomako from Accra Lions. Former club captain Bright Adjei also returns, alongside Patrick Mensah, Riise Opoku Mensah, Dominic Frimpong, and Abdul Aziz Nurudeen.
Karela United, who have narrowly avoided relegation in the past two seasons, have rebuilt their squad with Evans Osei Wusu (a league winner with Samartex), Bless Ege (2024 MTN FA Cup finalist), goalkeepers Daniel Afadzwu and Kelvin Kofi Saaba, and foreign signings Oliver Adom from Ivory Coast and Cameroonian forward Franky Aoudou.
Key Signings Across the League
· Asante Kotoko: Lord Hilary Adaboi (Samartex), Dari Aziz Haruna (Bechem United), Walid Fuseini.
· Hearts of Oak: Solomon Agbasi (Free Agent), Abdul Karim (Nations FC), Prince Kwabena Owusu (Gold Stars).
· Medeama SC: Rich Sackey (Aduana FC), Fuzy Taylor (Accra Lions).
· Berekum Chelsea: Augustine Agyapong, Michael Awuah Mensah, Samuel Amofa.
· Vision FC: Dickson Afoakwa (Rainmasters), Kwame Aziz (Legon Cities).
· Nations FC: Faruk Mohammed (Hohoe United), Lawrence Ansah.
· Swedru All Blacks: John Andoh (Soccer Intellectuals), Junior Yeboah (Pac Academy), Benjamin York.
· Hohoe United: Michael Yeboah (Great Olympics), Alhassan Adamu (Karela), Maxwell Agyemang.
· Eleven Wonders: Daniel Lomotey (formerly WAFA, Medeama, Young Apostles).
Coaching Carousel: Continuity and Change
Only two of the 18 GPL clubs have appointed foreign coaches: Swedru All Blacks hired Egyptian Ahmed Fati, while Aduana FC retained Romanian Cioba Arista. Ten clubs maintained their coaches, including Abdul Karim Zito (Asante Kotoko), Frimpong Manso (Gold Stars), Nurudeen Amadu (Karela United), Nana Agyemang (Vision FC), Ibrahim Tanko (Medeama SC), Samuel Boadu (Berekum Chelsea), Christopher Ennin (Samartex), Bashir Hayford (Heart of Lions), and Kasim Mingle Ocansey (Nations FC).
Hearts of Oak, Eleven Wonders, Basake Holy Stars, Swedru All Blacks, Hohoe United, Dreams FC, Bechem United, and Young Apostles have all appointed new coaches as they seek to refresh their technical directions.
With major signings, tactical shake-ups, and heightened ambitions across the board, the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling campaigns in recent times’ memory.
Sports
Premier League: Accra Hearts of Oak eye fast start against debutants Hohoe United on Friday night
Accra Hearts of Oak will launch their 2025/26 Premier League campaign with a home tie against newly promoted Hohoe United at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, September 12, 2025.
The Phobians enter the season as strong contenders for the title, while their opponents will be making their long-awaited debut in the country’s top-flight competition.
The 2024/25 season offered renewed optimism for Hearts of Oak after they finished fourth in the 2024-25 campaign. The Phobians finished fourth with 16 wins, 10 draws and only 8 defeats, the joint-second lowest tally in the top-flight.
They also boasted one of the league’s best defensive records, conceding just 18 goals across 34 matches.
Yet, despite their progress, one statistic continues to haunt them: Hearts have failed to win any of their last four Premier League season openers (D1, L3). Head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani and his players will be eager to break that trend in front of their home fans.
The capital giant has also strengthened significantly in the transfer market. High-profile recruit Prince Kwabena Owusu, formerly of Gold Stars FC, headlines the list of arrivals, alongside other notable additions designed to add depth and quality across the pitch.
Pre-season performances have been encouraging, with Hearts securing three wins and a draw, including a strong showing in the GHALCA Top Four competition. These results suggest the Phobians are well-prepared to mount a serious title challenge this season.
Hohoe United – Newcomers with Big Dreams
For Hohoe United, the match represents a historic milestone, their first-ever fixture in the Premier League. The Zone Three champions secured promotion in emphatic fashion last season, amassing an impressive 72 points from 30 matches (W23, D3, L4). Their dominance saw them outpace promotion rivals Port City FC and Okwahu United to seal their place in the top tier.
One of United’s standout strengths last season was their away form. They collected 27 points on the road, the second-highest total in the Access Bank Division One League. Such resilience on their travels could prove crucial as they adapt to the tougher challenges of top-flight football.
Keenly aware of the demands ahead, Hohoe United have bolstered their squad with several experienced campaigners. Among them are Ebenezer Amega from Legon Cities, Kwaku Musah from FC Nania, Rainmasters’ Daniel Osei Senior and former Great Olympics forward Michael Yeboah.
These signings bring a blend of quality and know-how, and will be central to United’s efforts to avoid the drop in their debut campaign. United will be looking to defy the odds and claim a memorable result against one of Ghana’s most storied and decorated clubs in their maiden Premier League outing.
Head-to-Head
This fixture marks the first-ever competitive meeting between Hearts of Oak and Hohoe United in Premier League history, adding an extra layer of intrigue to Friday’s clash.
What to Expect
The Accra Sports Stadium is set for an electric atmosphere as Hearts of Oak seek to begin their season on the front foot, backed by their passionate fans. For Hohoe United, the occasion offers both a daunting challenge and an opportunity to announce themselves on the big stage.
With one side eager to launch a title push and the other hungry to prove they belong, this season opener promises to deliver drama, intensity, and perhaps even history.
