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Good, bad, ugly sides of VAR for GPL
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A referee conducting a video review with the aid of VAR to overturn or confirm a decision
Ordinarily, the announcement of an intention to introduce the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) into the Ghana Premier League (GPL) should have drawn loud applause from every stakeholder interested in running a truly competitive league planted on the principles of fair play.
At least, it could address some of the concerns expressed by fans over officiating which sometimes causes the abrupt ending of games or the chaotic scenes often recorded at some venues over bad goals scored or conceded.
However, the backlash from fans, a section of the local media and a few administrators on the hint from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Okraku, suggests
clearly that VAR is a “persona non grata, at least for now.”
At the GFA meet-the-press event in the Bono region, one of the questions put to him was on officiating and measures to ensure a fair and competitive league.
In answering that, he announced the consideration of introducing VAR in the not too distant future.
That has since generated heated debate over whether VAR in Ghana, even in the next decade or more would be a realistic dream.
Gladly, listening to the various arguments, there is no suggestion that VAR is not good or cannot be possible in Ghana.
Fact is, VAR would not fully resolve all the challenges associated with the game as it is even seen in the more sophisticated and advanced leagues across the world.
The truth is, sometimes its decisions are overboard, especially those regarding offside calls as movements and positions of the contour human body are judged by straight lines.
However, it minimises the wrong calls regarding tight offside as well as some handball situations where referees award or disallow as penalties only for VAR to intervene.
Interestingly, the basis for the outright rejection of VAR in Ghana has been centred on the state of the country’s infrastructure.
Running an 18-club league means there would be nine action spots on every match day but one needs to ask how many of these venues can accommodate VAR.
Apart from the Accra Sports Stadium, jokingly likened to the famous Wembley Stadium in England, the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi and by extension the Cape Coast and Tamale stadia, none of the other venues qualify to even host Premier League matches if we were to adhere to those high standards.
It is even not an easy assignment for crews that travel to some of these venues to provide live coverage of games.
The struggles encountered in recent times to get the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to sanction venues to host continental matches should be a constant reminder of how the most reliable infrastructures are fast deteriorating.
May be, something should tell the VAR proponents it not for nothing that in England, for example, VAR is allowed only on Premier League grounds and Championship grounds are exempted.
That is not because the Championship grounds are not fit for that purpose. A number of them, if not all, are better than what we have if we are to consider the state of the facilities in there.
That only buttresses the fact that VAR is a whole agency on its own, requiring state-of-the-arts facilities and quality expertise to function.
What also makes the hint sound like an anecdote in the ears of fans is the fact that Ghana as a country has only one qualified VAR referee without an assistant.
This weakens the call to introduce the technology in our game for now.
To the FA President, VAR would surely be a good addition to the league but in doing so, a number of the concerns raised must first and foremost be tackled, otherwise equipment may be sent to venues like Berekum, Dormaa, Bechem, Tamale and others, but may return to Accra in pieces.
By Andrew Nortey
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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