Medeama’s unexpected collapse

A little over six weeks ago, everything pointed to a Medeama SC coronation as 2025/26 Ghana Premier League (GPL) champions at the end of the season.

That sounds premature, considering the fact that there were close to about 15 matches before the curtain was drawn on the competition.

However, believers of that assumption were right with that call due to Medeama’s form and doughty-character.

Medeama has been fearless this season. They have been ruthless, sharp, composed and a very formidable opposition, dealing with what their opponents throw at them.

In fact, establishing a 17-game unbeaten run speaks volumes of the quality Medeama has shown this season.

Two people have been key in this transformational story – Coach Ibrahim Tanko and playmaker, Salim Adams.

As of Week 21, Medeama SC opened a yawning seven-point gap with 43 points, leading Aduana FC, Hearts of Oak and Gold Stars, all with 36 points without any indication of slowing down.

But the story has completely changed just four matches after, with Medeama currently occupying the top spot with a slim one point.

Worse of all is the failure to record a win in their last five games in the competition, surviving at the top with unfavourable results of their closest competitors.

That winless run has seen Medeama drawn in three games against Samartex FC, Aduana FC and Swedru All Blacks, and lost to Nations FC and Hohoe United.

The nature of the defeat to Hohoe United generated controversy among those who won’t accept that a penalty miss and an erratic clearance by goalkeeper Felix Kyei that gifted the Voltarians the winning goal were genuine errors.

Their recent falters should have been pleasant opportunities for second-placed Gold Stars, and Hearts of Oak to capture reins at the top, but strangely, they suffered challenges of their own; leaving Medeama hanging at the top.

These dynamics are beginning to paint a positive picture for the competition as clubs at the top fight for more points to take pole positions, wrest with strugglers who are also battling hard for survival.

Outside of the top three, with chances of assuming the top spot if the Medeama form does not see any improvement, are Karela United and Asante Kotoko.

Despite their struggles, they have an outside chance of joining the battle at the top with nine matches to go.

At this stage of the competition, the pressure will be on Coach Ibrahim Tanko and his Medeama charges. Having ‘bottled’ a seven-point gap to a single point, it is surely theirs to lose.

Tanko, in previous interviews, has parried questions over the pressure on him and the team, but their current predicament leaves much to be desired.

The next two months would witness intense battle at both ends of the table with as many as five clubs having reason to contest for the ultimate, with about the same number set for the late drama to escape the last two slots to join Eleven Wonders, who are the surest bet for demotion.

By Andrew Nortey

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