The Ghana Football Association (GFA) continued its random decision making on membership of the top division league by increasing it once more from 14 to 18. Bottom clubs Susu Biribi and Fankobaa were spared relegation. Instead of the relegation, four more clubs were promoted namely Defence Stars, Nsawam Ghanacan, Gbewaa and Obuotabiri from Koforidua.
This was one of the best seasons for Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Sekondi Eleven Wise “the Western Show Boys”.
The two clubs set a hot pace. Kotoko went undefeated in the first seven outings before they were halted in the 8th week by bogey side Sekondi Hasaacas 2-0 at the famous Gyandu Park in Sekondi. Kotoko however avenged their defeat in the second round with a splendid 4-1 win in Kumasi. The marksmen that day were Opoku Afriyie, Gordon Prempeh, Osei Kwame and Dan Oppong.
Eleven Wise also had a field day with an unbeaten streak of 13 matches until they were halted by Accra Hearts of Oak in Accra, courtesy “Goal Thief” Peter Lamptey who hammered home the lone match-winner in the 70th minute.
Other notable features of the season were that Eleven Wise suffered only one home defeat and this was 1-0 at the hands of B. A. United. It was the very first match of the second round and the destroyer was “Soccer Articulator”Agyeman Badu.
The season saw the two traditional league winners, Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, sharing the four points at stake equally between them. Kotoko beat Hearts 2-0 in Kumasi in the first round and Robert Foley’s lone goal earned Hearts a sweet revenge in the second round in Accra. Swedru All Blacks had the distinction of drawing both at home and away with Asante Kotoko each way.
Top story of the season
Hearts international star Robert Hammond hit the headlines when he sensationally registered for city rivals Accra Great Olympics. It was a near battle between the two clubs as Hearts of Oak officials made a fruitless search for Hammond during the registration of players exercise. He was reportedly kidnapped by top officials of Olympics who were believed to have connections in the ruling Military Government of the Supreme Military Council (SMC).
Hearts made fruitless search for their star player only to realise in the end that the player had been secretly registered by Great Olympics who allegedly had powerful connections above. Nicknamed “Expensive Robert Hammond” he was however to spend only a season with Olympics before returning to Hearts of Oak. He did not appear comfortable in his new environment.
In quite a thrilling season Fabulous Kumasi Asante Kotoko inspired by young striker 20-year-old Opoku Afriyie netted a total of 27 goals in 34 matches to win the league. Pint-sized Opoku Afriyie will be remembered for his two spectacular hat-tricks against Ghanacan whom Kotoko beat 7-1 and B.A.United when he scored all the three goals. Again when Kotoko routed Gbewa United 7-0 in Kumasi, Opoku Afriyie scored four times. Owusu Sekyere netted twice and Malik Jabir scored the other goal.
Opoku Afriyie’s 27 goal tally however fell one goal short of Dan Owusu’s haul of 28. Owusu of Bofoakwa retained the goal king crown sponsored by the Sportswriters Association of Ghana (SWAG).
Four clubs, Susu Biribi, Volta United, Gbewa United and Obuotabiri were relegated. Wizard goal getters
Dan Owusu of Bofoakwa and Asante Kotoko’s Opoku Afriyie were the most fascinating players of the season.
There is no doubt we have seen some exciting league seasons before. Let’s hope for the best this season.
Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.
