Sports
GoldStars GPL feat no fluke
No prophet in Ghana would have been taken serious with prophesies of Bibiani GoldStars becoming the new champions of the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League (GPL).
That is not to take anything away from Coach Frimpong Manso, an Asante Kotoko legend, and his boys for the yeoman’s job they did in the just ended season.
They deserve every bit of the plaudits coming from well-wishers.
They came, they saw and conquered on their fourth year (2021/2022 season) in the elite stage of Ghana football.
Of course, this can only be a reality in the end but not a sound prediction at the start of the season.
But, so has it been. Stories like that of GoldStars sharply brings to mind a similar fairytale orchestrated in the advanced English Premier League (GPL) with the 2015/16 edition.
In the face of the Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool dominance, Leicester emerged with a bang, conquering every hurdle in sight with unsung heroes like Jamie Vardy, Wilfred Ndidi, Shinji Okazaki, Leonardo Ulloa, Danny Drinkwater, Robert Huth, Riyad Mahrez and others.
There was no indication of that sort at the start of the season.
As usual, the focus was on the aforementioned heavyweights but Leicester took the competition by storm to record a historic win.
Back home, the GoldStars story is not different. Despite the recent struggles by perennial favourites, Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, the two have always found their ways in fans prediction regarding the side to emerge winners.
Interestingly, both sides just managed to end up in the top four after Nations FC’s decision to abandon a game against Basake Holy Stars who cost them dearly, in the end, forfeiting the said game and going ahead to suffer a further three points deduction penalty.
Nations FC were actually the top favourites for the title until that ill-fated match against Basake Holy Stars.
Campaigning for the second year in the competition, very few followers of the game gave the Timber giants any chance.
But in the same ‘Rambo’ style, teams like Medeama SC and Aduana Stars descended on the GPL, GoldStars emerged with all guns blazing, strategically employing a tactic of making the Dun’s Park in Bibiani, a waterloo for visiting teams.
On a few occasions, they sprung surprises on the journey, recording a few upsets against gullible teams including Hearts of Oak in Accra.
They had a promising coach like Frimpong Manso who is yet to establish himself among the elites local coaches maybe because he is yet to work with any of the established club sides in the country.
But winning the local competition with a less endowed club makes you a legend, and truly, he has become one.
To management and other members of the technical team, one could only congratulate them for a job well executed.
The players have a huge role to play in proving that the feat was no fluke and that GoldStars has come to stay; and would continue to make an impact in the local game.
Much is not known about these players except Vincent Atinga who plied his trade with Hearts of Oak and Medeama SC. Others like Samuel Attah Kumi, Frank Amankwah, Kelvin Oppong, Charles Gyamfi Kamara, Abdul Farouk Amoaful, Gideon Anaba, Samuel Acheampong, Foster Agyei and Yakubu Haqq remain emerging talents aiming to carve a niche for themselves.
Definitely with the new challenge, some areas of the team would be strengthened as they face the finest sides on the continent.
Another season with a new champion should also serve as a wake-up call for the likes of Hearts or Oak and Asante Kotoko to quickly return to their glory days lest they lose their enviable place among the football elite clubs. Well-done GoldStars.
By Andrew Nortey
Accra Hearts of Oak has lodged a formal complaint with the Ghana Police Service over an incident involving police officers and the club’s supporters’ leader during Sunday’s match against Asante Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium.
According to the club’s management, some uniformed officers allegedly manhandled the chairman of the National Chapters Committee (NCC), Yussif Abdullai, and the club’s Safety and Security Officer, Abdul Baaki Musah, while they were performing their official duties.
The club described the incident as unfortunate, stressing that it was caught on camera and had caused distress among supporters and stakeholders.
Hearts said such conduct undermines the spirit of safety and mutual respect that should guide Ghana’s football environment.
In a statement signed by management, the club called for a thorough investigation into the alleged misconduct to ensure accountability and protect the safety of all football fans.
Hearts of Oak urged supporters to remain calm while the Police conduct their investigations.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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Accra Hearts of Oak midfielder Mohammed Hussein has issued a public apology following an incident after the team’s recent match against rivals Asante Kotoko.
In a personal statement, Hussein expressed regret for his actions after the final whistle, acknowledging that his behaviour fell short of the respect expected by his club, teammates, fans, and the wider football community.
“I sincerely apologise to the Ghana Football Association, the referee, my teammates, our cherished supporters, and the wider football community. What happened after the final whistle was unacceptable, and I take full responsibility for my behaviour,” he said.
Hussein explained that he became frustrated during the game, feeling he was repeatedly fouled without adequate protection from the referees.
“In that moment of emotion, I allowed frustration to cloud my judgment. Instead of showing restraint and respect, I reacted wrongly and I regret it deeply,” he added.
He offered a direct apology to the match referee, acknowledging the challenges referees face in ensuring fairness.
“To the referee involved, I am truly sorry for confronting you in the manner that I did. I respect the difficult role referees play and humbly ask for your forgiveness,” he said.
Hussein pledged to learn from the incident, promising to remain calm under pressure and uphold the dignity of both his club and Ghanaian football.
“I will work harder to remain calm under pressure, to honour the phobia badge I love and wear, and to uphold the dignity of our beautiful game,” he said.
By: Jacob Aggrey
