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Dangerous times as league draws nearer to end
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• Referees Manager, Alex Kotey, has a lot of work to do
Grave concerns have been raised about officiating in the ongoing betPawa Ghana Premier League (GPL). But for a negligible few, performance of most of the game’s officials have been barely satisfactory.
This is dangerous, to say the least – as it militates against the advancement of our football.
Frustratingly, recently, a section of fans sympathetic to Asante Kotoko, made a trip down to the deity Antoa in the Ashanti region to place a curse on referees who would attempt to cheat their club – the defending league champions.
The Antoa is believed to be a river God known as Antoa Nyamaa. It is a shrine harboured in a small stream called Asuo Nyamaa. Sources say Antoa Nyamaa is a very powerful deity and the people in the Ashanti region often use it to seek answers to their problems.
Clearly, it may not be the way to go. Fans must not vent their spleen, frustrations and disappointments in this manner. There could be other means to seek justice.
But this is what usually happens when clubs – with passionately ardent following, are subjected to openly-biased officiating and painfully robbed.
Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, has conceded that officiating is a key challenge in the league, describing performance of referees as not the best and therefore needs great attention.
“There have been a few issues as usual and officiating is at the centre stage. There have even been issues in Division One, so it’s very critical. We will pay much attention to that,” he told Max FM recently.
So contentious – and sometimes horrible were some of the calls to the extent that some supporters opined that the GFA was behind it. But Asante disagreed.
“There are situations where we all know the referee’s performance is not at the level we want it to be, but for someone to think that the FA manipulates referees to cheat a particular team is unfortunate; and there is nothing like that.”
If that is the case, it behoves on the Football Association to take the bull by the horn and ensure that referees do a good job as the league enters into the home stretch.
After this weekend’s cagey-tight engagements, we have just six games to roll down the curtain on the season with the title up for grabs – whilst as many as seven clubs including Accra Great Olympics, Karela United, Tamale United, Nsoatreman and Dreams FC are all in grave danger of visiting the drop because of the tiny points difference from the rear.
The summit is astoundingly interesting as well, with as many as four clubs (leaders Aduana Stars, Medeama SC, Asante Kotoko, Bechem United and Hearts of Oak, all capable of annexing the diadem.
What this means is that, if for nothing at all, the final few games of the campaign would be contested with ruthless intensity and one can only hope a level-playing field is put in place for the battle.
The FA must, therefore, do well to ensure that only the best is reserved for last. The league has come under a landslide of attacks and this is not the best advertisement for our game that is begging for more sponsors to give some comfort to the players.
Around this time of the season, we know many club owners and officials try to manipulate the game by bribing referees who, most often than not, fall prey to their gambits. It is no secret. It must be stopped to salvage what is left of our dwindling football.
GFA’s Referees Manager, Alex Kotey, and his lieutenants must up their game and present fans with unblemished ‘Knights of the Whistle’ whose performance should leave a beautiful lasting impression on the minds of all.
When chosen, these men on the field must endeavour to be impartially fair, firm and even-handed. That is the only way many can have confidence in the system.
By John Vigah
Accra Hearts of Oak and Dreams FC will headline Matchday 5 of the Ghana Premier League when the two sides meet at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium tomorrow, with both clubs seeking a result that could shape their early season campaign.
The encounter comes at a crucial moment for the two sides with the Phobians looking to recover from their first defeat of the campaign and Dreams still searching for their first victory after four matches.
The Rainbow lads started the season strongly but were beaten 1-0 by Karela United last weekend, while Dreams suffered a slim 1-0 defeat to Bechem United.
Hearts had earlier recorded impressive victories over Berekum Chelsea and Bibiani Gold Stars before drawing goalless with Bechem United, leaving the club with seven points from their opening four matches.
Their defeat at Karela United, however, means they will be under pressure to quickly return to winning ways against a Dreams side determined to make home advantage count.
Dreams, meanwhile, have endured a difficult beginning to the campaign and will see tomorrow’s fixture as an opportunity to change their fortunes.
The ‘Still Believe’ side have collected points from only their opening draws and are yet to register a victory, making the meeting with one of the country’s traditional giants an important test of their character.
Elsewhere, Vision FC will welcome Bibiani Gold Stars to the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex today, with both teams looking to strengthen their positions.
Vision have shown encouraging form in the early stages, while Gold Stars will be seeking a response after suffering a 2-0 home defeat to newcomers Port City FC.
At the Debibi Presby Park, newly promoted Debibi United will face defending champions Medeama SC tomorrow.
Medeama finally opened their account with a convincing 4-1 victory over Basake Holy Stars and will be hoping that the result marks the beginning of a stronger title defence.
Port City FC will continue their impressive debut campaign when they host Bechem United at the Daasebere Boamah Darko II Park.
Basake Holy Stars will attempt to recover from their heavy defeat to Medeama when they host Berekum Chelsea at the Ampain AAK II Sports Arena.
Aduana FC will welcome Swedru All Blacks to the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park after producing one of the weekend’s most notable results last Sunday.
At the Kpando Stadium, Heart of Lions will host FC AshantiGold ’04 in another meeting between sides coming off victories.
FC Samartex 1996 will meanwhile welcome Young Apostles FC to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, with the home side seeking to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
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Tuesday, September 29, 2026 would go into the annals of Ghana football as one of the darkest days for the Black Stars.
In an AFCON 2027 qualifier against The Gambia, the Black Stars did not only break the hearts of the fans, but conceded a defeat that left followers with sleepless nights.
Coming from a Matchday 1 defeat to the Elephants of La Cote d’Ivoire in Bouake, the outcome of the second game against The Gambia was one that was non-negotiable.
It had the ability to spark a revival to contend for one of the slots for the next AFCON showpiece.
The Gambia is a formidable side but definitely, not one to have frustrated Ghanaians to watch in pain and awe the Black Stars lose a game from a winning position.
That is a possibility in the game of football but when the stakes are high in such cases, it becomes unacceptable to the fans.
And grievously has Carlos Queiroz answered the massive call for his resignation.
At his post-match press conference, he made it clear that bowing out was the easiest decision but insisted that would not solve the myriad problems facing the Black Stars.
For the coach to be fired two days after that declaration raises a lot of concerns as he seem to be aware of existing problems the FA may even not know.
Unfortunately, coaches over the years have always been sacrificial lambs in situations of this nature but when he talks about particular problems affecting the team, his sack leaves much to be desired.
That aside, it is important to also take another look at the country’s pool of players, both local and foreign based.
Some of us have been advocates for forming the Black Stars around the ever-present local players who may lack the skill, finesse and flamboyance believed to give the foreign based players the edge over their local counterparts.
The locals, however, compensate that with their commitment and dedication.
Sadly, it appears this consistent call have fallen on deaf ears and no one wants to give any attention to that.
If the fear is that results would be poor, then that would be no excuse again following outcomes of the Stars in their last two games.
From what was witnessed in Bouake and Accra, one can confidently boast that there isn’t much difference between the foreign based players and the locals.
If there is any, it would probably be the treatment given to the two sets of players.
The call on the FA now is to give major consideration to the local players. Any coach that sees no good in the local players must have no business handling the national team.
That does not also shut the door on the ‘foreigners’. We witnessed how the early 90s teams were beautifully blended to have a formidable team.
It is time the FA goes back to the basics. With the locals, there can be more camps, leading to improved cohesion. Any foreign based player invited must settle into the team quickly and make a difference. That is the only way to rescue the Black Stars from its free fall.
By Andrew Nortey
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