Ghana Premier League (GPL) leader, Nations FC, abandoned their penultimate league game against Basake Holy Stars on Sunday, after a dramatic walk-off in protest of officiating decisions.
Tensions flared when the referee awarded a second penalty to the home side, a decision that drew furious reactions from the Nations FC bench and players. The incident occurred midway through the second half, with Holy Stars leading 1-0, following a first-half penalty converted in the 32nd minute.
An on-field altercation ensued, prompting security personnel to intervene and restore order. Despite attempts to resume play, Nations FC players and technical staff opted to walk off the pitch, leaving match officials and spectators stunned at the controversial turn of events.
Nations FC came into the high-stakes clash at Crosby Awuah Memorial Stadium with three points clear at the top of the table and needed to win the remaining two games to secure a historic first league title, but that didn’t happen.
With Bibiani Goldstars winning their game and joint top with Nations FC on 60 points, the final league game of the season will be interesting to follow.
Close contenders, Bibiani Goldstars FC, took a significant step toward clinching the 2024-25 GPL title with a dramatic 3-2 away victory over Berekum Chelsea at Golden City Park.
In a game filled with early fireworks, it was the home side that struck first. Stephen Amankona gave Chelsea a dream start in the 9th minute, finishing smartly to put his side ahead.
However, Goldstars responded shortly after with Foster Agyei levelling the score just five minutes later, slotting home in the 14th minute.
Then came a quickfire brace from Abdul Farouk Amoaful, who netted in the 23rd and 25th minutes to give the visitors a commanding 3-1 lead before the half-hour mark.
Chelsea pushed for a response in the second half, and it was Amankona again who provided hope, reducing the deficit with his second goal in the 53rd minute. Despite increased pressure from the home side, Goldstars held firm to secure all three points.
A victory in their final match at home against Accra Lions FC could crown them champions of the GPL for the first time.
Elsewhere, Kumasi Asante Kotoko won 3-2 against Medeama. The Porcupine Warriors have now closed the gap with the league leaders to just two points and are hoping for a miracle on the final day to secure glory.
Albert Amoah stepped up in the absence of Kwame Opoku, who is on international duty with Ghana Black Stars in the Unity Cup in London, by netting a superb hat-trick to guide the Porcupine Warriors to a vital win in front of their home fans.
FC Samartex were made to sweat at home before claiming a 2-1 win over Aduana Stars. The Timber giants raced into an early lead just six minutes into the game, but their lead was cancelled by Kelvin Obeng’s strike in the 32nd minute.
The hosts, however, scored late in the game to record their sixth consecutive win at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena.
Christopher Ennin’s team now occupies 6th position in the league standings with 51 points, ahead of their trip to Hearts of Oak on the final day. Aduana sit in 10th position on 44 points and will host Basake Holy Stars next weekend.
Karela United won 3-0 over Young Apostles to affirm their spot in next season’s GPL. Abdul Latif scored in the 32nd minute to give the hosts the lead.
They doubled their lead before the break and added a third in stoppage time. Following the win, the ‘Pride and Passion’ climbed up to 14th in the league standings on 38 points.
The Tamale-based side is also guaranteed all three points on the final day due to Nsoatreman’s absence, which means they don’t have to worry about relegation.
Despite the defeat, Apostles are two points richer than Karela, which leaves the visitors in 13th position. The Premier League debutants will travel to Bechem United on the final day of the season.
Elsewhere in Accra, Hearts of Oak recorded their third consecutive victory on Sunday with a 2-0 win over relegated Legon Cities at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon.
The Phobians continued their late-season resurgence with another assured performance, as goals from Kwabena Boateng and Michael Awuah secured all three points. The result keeps them firmly in the hunt for a top-four finish, now just two points off fourth place heading into the final round of the Ghana Premier League.
Accra Lions have been relegated from the GPL following a 2-0 defeat to Dreams FC at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
Second-half goals from Razak Salifu and Aziz Musibau were enough to sink Accra Lions, who had a good first half but failed to take their chances.
