As the final specks of dust settle on what has been a truly remarkable and keenly contested premier league season here in Ghana, the PFAG, home to all of the country’s football stars, provides you with a quick wrap up of all the key points that ensured this past season will live long in the memory.
WORTHY CHAMPIONS
Wa All Stars capped off a hugely impressive campaign by emerging befitting victors after 30 grueling rounds of action. Boasting of a dominant 15 wins out of 30 matches played, the Blue Magicians surmounted the challenge of nearest rivals Aduana Stars, to annex the ultimate diadem.
Without question, the most rewarding game for the gallant warriors from Wa must have been the penultimate day 2-1 win at the Malik Jabir Park, over the league runners’ up Aduana Stars; a match rich in incident and high on quality! That hard earned victory ensured All Stars’ a place in the history books as the first side from the Northern and Upper Regions of the country to win Ghana’s top flight football league, and also secured the country’s sole ticket to the 2017 CAF Champions League.
TOP 4 STANDINGS
With Wa All Stars crowned champions, 2010 league winners Aduana Stars were forced to settle for the runners up spot, haven agonizingly finished just two points shy of All Stars’ final points tally of 51.
Despite an impressive start to league proceedings, Accra Hearts of Oak faded away mid-season, yet emerged from an exciting 3 way tussle to clinch third place on the log. Perhaps scant consolation for their teeming fans, who at a point, were supremely confident of seeing the league trophy draped in their rainbow colours come match day 30.
Fourth spot went to Tarkwa based Medeama Stars, who put the disappointment of continental cup heartache behind them to narrowly edge out perennial league winners Kumasi Asante Kotoko to finish in the much fabled top 4 spots.
RELEGATION WOES
Unfortunately for fans of Hasaaacas, Techiman City and New Edubiase Utd, the very best efforts of their respective teams were not enough to keep them away from the relegation trap doors, as they will have to ply their trade in Ghana’s second tier league during the next term. We wish them well in their quests to secure quick returns to the top flight.
Those three vacated slots will be taken up next season by the exciting trio comprising of seasoned campaigners Great Olympics, and two new entrants Bolga Utd and the Elmina Sharks.
GOALS, GOALS, AND MORE STUNNING GOALS!!
Not only were there goals aplenty this year, there were some truly stunning strikes too! From Bright Adjei’s heroics in winning the CNN goal of the week award twice, to Mumuni Wahidi and Malik Akowah’s missile freekicks, and from Latif Blessing’s 17 goal haul to Eric Bekoe’s absolute belters, the 2015/16 Ghana Premier League season will forever be etched into our memories as one which showcased many great goals. There were a total of 499 goals registered in the 240 matches played, statistically translating into over 2 goals scored per game.
Aduana Stars emerged as the top scoring team at the end of the season. Buoyed by the goal scoring prowess of Yahaya Mohammed, the Dormaa daredevils notched up a league high 42 goals. On the flip side, New Edubiase Utd were the lowest scoring club in the league, registering a paltry 20 goals in their 30 encounters, culminating in just six wins throughout the season.
The Berekum City Park continued to be an almost impregnable home fortress for Chelsea, as the 2011 league lords claimed an impressive 12 wins out of their 15 home games.
COACHES
Finally in a season when the managerial revolving doors saw the likes of David Duncan, Herbert Addo, Tom Strund, J.E. Sarpong and Kenichi Yatshuhashi exit the scene, the PFAG extends a hearty congratulations to Coach Enos Adepa, the management and technical team of Wa All Stars for a well-deserved maiden triumph in the Ghana Premier League.
AYEKOO
The PFAG also expresses a special kudos to all fans and stakeholders in our domestic game for making the 2015/16 Premier League a success.
We can’t wait for Next Season!
This past year has been a landmark season in which the PFAG signed on all premiership and First division players, as well as rolled out its groundbreaking insurance and Life after Football policy packages. We wish to reiterate our commitment and desire to help take the beautiful game played here in Ghana to the very highest echelons of world football. We assure you of bigger, better and greater packages to be rolled out for the next season; just keep watching this space!!