19 matchdays of undiluted Ghana Premier League action have so far been served.
Accra Hearts of Oak returned to winning ways while Kotoko’s chaotic game with Nsoatreman ended with the demise of a Kotoko fan.
After the dust has settled, 3Sports takes a look at five talking points from the weekend’s action.
Kotoko-Nsoatreman marred by hooliganism as fan loses life
It was not supposed to end this way. After loads of pushing and shoving seven minutes into the second half, the game between Nsoatreman and Asante Kotoko was put on hold.
Three players were sent off in the aftermath of the incident, with the referee ushering the players down the tunnel until tempers went down.
Understandably, players are to fight on the pitch but not in literal terms of trading punches and injuring each another.
They are to fight for the badges of the teams they represent, chase every lost ball, and get at the end of crosses.
The heated brawl escalated into the stands with a passionate Kotoko fan, Francis Yaw Frimpong, affectionately known as Nana Pooley, stabbed in the aftermath, leading to his unfortunate demise.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has responded to this, condemning the act and taking swift action against Nsoatreman, banning them from all home games.
Time without number, incidents of hooliganism have become way too common in games, with the latest one being the umpteenth time its taking place in the Ghana Premier League.
The said game, however, saw Nsoatreman defeat Kotoko 1-0, to snap the Porcupine Warriors’ seven-game unbeaten run.
Both teams have condemned the incident with Kotoko set to meet the life patron of the club, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to discuss the way forward.
Hearts of Oak sniff title with latest win
Hearts of Oak are back in the title race after their latest 1-0 win over Heart of Lions on Friday night.
The Phobians have moved to 33 points with their latest win, one behind joint-table toppers GoldStars and Kotoko, giving fans a real sense of belief of winning the league.
On Friday, Hearts went about their business with minimal fuss, claiming a narrow win and keeping a cleansheet; their 11th of the season.
Although scoring the least goals in the top six (17), Hearts have conceded the joint-lowest league goals (10) in the top six.
Hearts of Oak are well and truly in the title conversation, aiming for a first league crown since the 2020/21 season.
Battle for safety takes new twist
The bottom of the table has a different look. After matchday 18, Karela were at the foot of the table but after matchday 19, Accra Lions have replaced them.
Five points separate bottom side Accra Lions and 12th place Vision FC in the Ghana Premier League, with none of the sides safe.
Karela United, Legon Cities and Accra Lions, occupy the bottom three places, with Dreams FC just above the drop zone in 15th.
Nsoatreman are 14th with 21 points, similar to 13th-placed Aduana Stars.
Nothing is quite determined yet with a throttle of games to go.
Top 6 fight for Ghana Premier League crown
Four points separate sixth-placed Bechem United and league leaders Bibiani GoldStars.
The current season has been dubbed as the most competitive by a host of sports pundit and rightfully so.
Teams are breathing down the necks of each other, having bites at each other, and competing at the highest level.
Samartex, Medeama, Kotoko, Hearts of Oak and Medeama have been crowned the last five winners of the Ghana Premier League.
With the exception of Medeama who won the league twice in the last five seasons, every team has had to settle for one title.
That shows the competitive edge of the league and how teams bring the best out of each other.
GoldStars and Kotoko are currently tied on top of the table with 34 points, while Heart of Lions and Hearts of Oak have 33 points in third and fourth.
Nations FC (5th) with 32 points and sixth placed Bechem United (30 points) make up the top six.
It wouldn’t come as a surprise to see the league go down to the final day to determine the winning side.
Faisal Charwetey leads open goalking race
Nations FC forward Faisal Charwetey is having a memorable season after joining the Kumasi-based club from the Division 1 league ahead of the season.
His nine goals is the best in the division, with Bibiani GoldStars’ Attah Kumi the second-best in the division.
Kotoko injured forward Albert Amoah has bagged seven goals, with five players, including last season top scorer Stephen Amankona (Berekum Chelsea), on six goals.
The overly competitive nature of the ongoing season’s league ticks all the boxes, from the title race, relegation battle to the goalking race.
