GPL: Five things we learned from matchday 7
Aduana Stars, King Faisal, Nsoatreman and Hearts of Oak all won on matchday 7, as Accra Lions and Asante Kotoko failed.
Here are five things that drew our attention.
KING FAISAL ENDS KARELA HOME RECORD
Karela United’s impressive run at the Crosby Awuah Memorial (CAM) Park came to an end on Wednesday when King Faisal’s Joseph Adu Dwomoh scored in the 60th minute.
The Anyinase lads had gone 20 games without a defeat at the CAM Park after losing 2-1 to Aduana Stars on the final day of the 2020/21 season. 14 victories and six draws.
Like any other unbeaten streak, it was definitely bound to end. However, the least expected opponent was King Faisal who had struggled all season until last weekend. Before the win, the Kumasi-based club, surprisingly were the last club to win a point at Karela following a 1-1 draw on match week 30 last season.
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This is the first time in nearly a year that king Faisal have won two league games in a row. The run stretches from December 12, 2021, when they beat Elmina Sharks after defeating Kotoko at the Baba Yara Stadium.
NEW BUT AMBITIOUS NSOATREMAN FC
Newly-promoted side Nsoatreman secured a win over counterparts Tamale City. The win means Nsoatreman boast of back-to-back wins for the first time in the Ghana Premier League. It also lifts them to the fifth position above Legon Cities and a single point behind Accra Great Olympics.
Their recent run of success has established them as the best of the newly promoted sides. The others; Kotoku Royals, Samartex and Tamale City are currently battling in the relegation zone.
INCONSISTENCY OF KOTOKO DANGEROUS TO TITLE DESIRE
Kotoko were unable to hold on to their advantage against Legon Cities, who took a point at the Baba Yara stadium. The Porcupine Warriors were on the verge of winning three games in a row for the first time this season before Sadat Mohammed equalized in the 51st minute.
Kotoko’s failure to win three straight games continues. The champions last won three games in a row on January 9, 2022, propelling them to the title last season. Following their current run of results, Kotoko must aim for a better run if defending the trophy is truly a priority.
BRIGHT ADJEI ASPIRING TO BE ADUANA’S GO-TO MAN.
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Bright Adjei returned to the score sheet for Aduana Stars, scoring twice against Berekum Chelsea. Aduana returns to winning ways after losing to Real Tamale United last weekend.
He scored 14 goals last season to finish fourth on the top scorers’ list, and he has already scored four goals in seven games this season. If he keeps this up, he’ll certainly shatter more records than he did last season. His goal-scoring abilities might potentially help Aduana Stars contend for the championship for the first time in five years.
HEARTS OF OAK WIN FANS HEARTS
Ten-man Hearts of Oak prevented Accra Lions from continuing their five-game winning streak in Thursday’s fantastic contest. Gladson Awako scored in the 23rd minute but was sent off five minutes later after the referee flashed him two yellow cards. Regardless, the Phobians won and converted a penalty through Salifu Ibrahim two minutes into the second half. Benjamin York cemented the victory after Bassit had pulled one back for the Lions.
Accra Lions’ stunning run of victories suddenly seems to be monumental, while Hearts of Oak stay unbeaten in their previous five games. Hearts of Oak’s slow start may not matter as much this season, as they move to sixth place.
