By Ernest Bako WUBONTO
Hasaacas Ladies (Hasmal) have been crowned champions of the Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League 2023/24 season, reclaiming the league title after losing it in the previous two seasons.
The Hasmal Ladies fought vigorously to emerge triumphant over Ampem Darkoa Ladies with a 2-1 full-time victory at the University of Ghana Stadium, breaking their two-year dominance in the women’s league.
The rivalry between these two powerhouses of the Northern and Southern Zones of the women’s league has intensified over the past five years, and the Southern champions were determined not to be defeated for the third consecutive year.
The ‘Doo Ladies’ took an early lead in the 11th minute through a powerful strike from Veronica Baah Kumah. This vital goal lifted the ‘can do’ spirit of the team and motivated the girls to be resolute.
The momentum continued for Hasmal Ladies as prolific Black Queens striker Abdulai Mukarama doubled the lead with a brave header.
Despite the Ampem Darkoa Ladies’ revitalisation in the second half, the ‘Doo Ladies’ remained resolute and defended compactly to avoid conceding an early goal in the second half. Nonetheless, Ophelia Serwaa Amponsah in the 73rd minute toe-poked a late goal to provide a glimmer of hope for the defending champions – but that wasn’t enough to derail Hasaacas’ quest for victory as they had sealed the match 2-1 by full time.
It’s a massive feat for Hasaacas Ladies after losing the finals to the same side back-to-back. Ampem Darkoa defeated Hasaacas Ladies 5-3 on penalties during last season’s finale in Kumasi to lift the trophy at the Kwame Kyei Sports Complex for a second consecutive time.
Hasaacas have now extended their Premier League title wins to six in an astonishing 10 years. It was a thrilling end to an exciting match that produced several magical moments for the cheering crowd at the stadium.
As the champions of Ghana, Hasaacas Ladies will participate in the West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B qualifiers to secure a coveted spot in the Champions League.
Hasaacas participated in the historic inaugural Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s Champions League in 2021, when they fought their way to the final but narrowly missed out on the title to Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies of South Africa.
Final Women’s Premier League Table 2023/24
Ampem Darkoa Ladies FC and Hasaacas Ladies FC both ended the 2023/24 Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League as worthy champions, topping the Northern and Southern Zones respectively.
Northern Ladies, Dreamz Ladies and Supreme Ladies complete the Northern Zone’s top-four places after 18 weeks of premier league action.
In the same zone, Pearlpia Ladies and Ashtown Ladies have been relegated to the lower tier after placing 9th and 10th on the league table.
Similarly, in the Southern Zone Faith Ladies, Berry Ladies and Police Ladies made the top-four together with Hasaacas Ladies at the season’s end, while Essiam Socrates and Sea Lions languished at the bottom and were thus relegated to the lower tier.
