Ghana Premier League – SportsInGhana

History of the National Football League (1983) – No challenger for Kotoko

SportsInGhana NewsDesk — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 11:10:07 +0000

Asante Kotoko recorded another first by winning the league for the fourth consecutive time.
Indeed, they crowned a glorious season by also winning the African Cup for champion clubs for the second time beating Al Ahly of Egypt 1-0 in Kumasi after a goalless draw in Cairo in the first leg.
It was the second year running that Kotoko had been billed to meet Al Ahly in the finals.
In the previous year Al Ahly beat Kotoko 3-0 in the first leg in Cairo and drew 1-1 in the return match in Kumasi.
The season saw the GFA, for the first time, introducing compulsory transfer fees to be paid for the services of players changing clubs. Black Star players attracted GH¢ 100,000; Black Meteors GH¢ 75,000; First Division GH¢ 50,000; Division Two GH¢ 35,000; Division Three GH¢ 15,000 and Division Four, GH¢ 5,000.
The GFA collected the transfer fees and paid them to the affected clubs before issuing out registration cards. Clubs unable to pay transfer fees were sanctioned, as happened to Sekondi Eleven Wise who were not allowed to play their opening league match against Olympics and lost the points. They later paid the transfer fees courtesy the newly appointed chairman John Ackay Blay Miezah, a business tycoon.
Interestingly, before the league started the Central Revenue Department issued a circular reminding the clubs that payments made to players to entice them to change teams are liable to tax under Gift Tax Decree 1975 (NRCD 348). It is doubtful whether clubs paid any attention to this announcement.
The season started on Feb 6 with the two traditional giants Kotoko and Hearts both losing their matches. Kotoko were beaten 2-1 by Hasaacas at Gyandu. John Essien got both goals for Hasaacas and John Bannerman scored for Kotoko from the penalty spot.
Hearts lost 3-1 to Olympics in a local derby. Emmanuell Botwe gave Hearts a 1-0 half time lead and Olympics fought back gamely in the second half to rattle in three goals through Abdul Aziz (50) Karimu Alhassan (56) and Ben Kayede (69).
Other interesting results were B. A. United 1 Standfast 3; Cornerstone 2 Wise 0. Bofoakwa, back to the first division after four years’ absence, shocked Olympics with a 1-0 defeat at Accra Stadium in the third week. Powerhouse Kwasi Owusu headed home the matchwinner in the 42nd minute.
Kotoko came into the news on Feb 18 when club chairman Yaw Bawuah announced the compulsory retirement of skipper Opoku Afriyie. No official reasons were given for the action but it was later learnt that the skipper was axed from the team for being a bad influence on the players.
Interestingly, a few days after Afriyie’s dismissal, Kotoko moved to the top of the table with a classic 3-0 win over Standfast in Kumasi. Other results of note in the week were Standfast 0 Hearts 0; B. A. United 2 Bofoakwa 2.
Disaster struck the league on March 13 when Hasaacas goalkeeper Samuel Entsuah died on the spot in a motor accident near Elmina when Hasaacas were on their way to Swedru for a league match against All Blacks. Thirteen (13) players of the team were admitted at Cape Coast hospital and discharged after a week.
The GFA declared all matches involving Hasaacas outstanding to enable the players recover from the mishap.
The ‘Giants of the West’, as Hasaacas were affectionately known, returned to action on April 10 and beat Standfast 3-0 in Accra. In two outstanding matches, Hasaacas beat RTU 3-2 in Sekondi and lost 2-1 to Bofoakwa at Sunyani.
This was not before the big news on March 30 when GFA Chairman Zac Bentum resigned from his post “for personal reasons”.
He was immediately replaced by Samuel
Ackah-Yensu, another veteran football administrator and GFA member.
A few weeks later Dr. John Atta Mills, chairman of the National Sports Council also resigned “for personal reasons”.
He later became Prof Atta Mills, President of Ghana unfortunately he died in office on Tuesday July 24, 2012.
As if in a season of resignations, Asante Kotoko chairman Yaw Bawuah tendered his resignation letter to the club’s chief patron Asantehene Nana Opoku Ware11 on June 12 with the reason that he wanted to maintain peace and harmony in the club because some disgruntled elements in the club for no apparent reasons were calling for his dismissal. His resignation was however rejected by the Asantehene and Yaw
Bawuah remained in office to lead Kotoko to win the Africa Cup for the second time on Dec 12.
After a brief suspension of the league to make room for WAFU matches involving Olympics and Hasaacas, the newsmakers were Accra Hearts who beat RTU in Tamale for the first time and followed it up with a 4-3 win over Kotoko in Kumasi to smash their unbeaten home record.
Hearts won the Tamale match 2-1 with Sam Yeboah scoring both goals. Anane Kobo got the consolation for RTU.
In Kumasi, Hearts took a commanding 3-0 lead at half time against Kotoko through Botwe and Sam Yeboah (2). There was drama in the second half as Opoku Nti scored three rapid goals by the 79th minute to tie 3-3, however, Hesse Odamtten’s last minute header from Ansuade’s free kick won the day for Hearts.
Meanwhile, Hasaacas kept their unbeaten home record with a neat 2-0 win over Cornerstone, and Eleven Wise got their first away win 1-0 at the expense of Standfast thanks to Yaw Asamoah’s 35th minute goal.
An inspired Eleven Wise won their next match 2-1 against Kotoko at Gyandu, Hearts beat State Traders 1-0 at Swedru and Bofoakwa drew 1-1 with relegation haunted Standfast at Sunyani.
The 19th week saw league leaders Kotoko emerging top scorers by beating Bofoakwa 5-1 in Kumasi as second placed Hasaacas kept the pace with a 2-0 home win over State Traders. Sam Ayippey and Francis Edzie were the scorers.
The league was put off in the 20th week on Oct 9 to cater for various international matches involving the Black Stars, Kotoko’s Africa Cup engagements and WAFU (West Africa Football Union) fixtures between Hasaacas and Olympics.
The Black Stars were eliminated by Nigeria in the semi-finals of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic qualifying series; Kotoko beat Jaraafs of Senegal in the Africa Cup series and Hasaacas eliminated Olympics 1-0 from the WAFU Cup but lost the finals to New Nigerian Bank on 2-0 aggregate (2-0 in Lagos and 0-0 in Kumasi).
At the time the league was suspended with two more games to go, Kotoko had an unassailable lead of 32 points followed by Hasaacas. As the Oct 30 deadline for the submission of champion clubs to CAF (Confederation of African Football) was getting nearer the GFA submitted the name of Kotoko but gave the assurance that the league would be completed because of the promotion and demotion exercise.
The Organisation of League Clubs Association (OGLCA) had different ideas and called for the cancellation of the league. This was disputed by the five top clubs in the league table-Kotoko, Hasaacas, Olympics, Hearts and Wise. Confusion thus arose. At a meeting with the GFA on Nov 11 it was decided to go ahead with the league and the competition ended on Nov 20.
For State Traders of the Ghana National Trading Company (GNTC), it was a disastrous debut in the elite first division and, together with Standfast, who could no longer stand fast after a brilliant performance in 1982, went into relegation.
Standfast’s handicap was that they lost a number of their key players, notably Ebo Mends and Yahya Kassum, to the other clubs.
Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.

Credit: By Ken Bediako

Kotoko lead league clubs in foreign recruitment

Abdul Razak Odoi — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 10:16:00 +0000

Asante Kotoko have emerged as the biggest recruiters of foreign players ahead of the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season, with six overseas players completing moves to the club.

A total of 10 foreign players have completed transfers to Ghana Premier League clubs so far, with four clubs accounting for the signings.

Kotoko’s six recruits come from five different countries. Burkina Faso defender Abdoul Kader Tarnagda has joined the Porcupine Warriors alongside Ivorian duo Koffi Marius Ange Bini and Eric Gbetta.

Moroccan Abdelwadie Mourad, DR Congo’s Aristote Tamuzi and Cameroonian Solomon Nsor Asaah complete Kotoko’s foreign contingent.

Medeama SC have signed two foreign players, with Ivorian defender Abdul Latif Bamba joining the Tarkwa-based club alongside Sudanese midfielder Monged Abuzaid Salman.

Hearts of Oak have added one foreign player to their squad, securing the services of Ivorian Mamadou Kader Kourouma.

FC AshantiGold 04 have also completed one foreign signing, bringing in Burkina Faso’s Ben Yamine Nassirou Kabore.

Ivory Coast is the most represented country among the foreign recruits, with four players moving to Ghana for the new campaign.

Burkina Faso follows with two players, while Morocco, DR Congo, Cameroon and Sudan have one representative each.

Foreign players by club

Asante Kotoko: 6
Medeama SC: 2
Hearts of Oak: 1
FC Ashantigold 04: 1

Foreign players by nationality

Ivory Coast: 4
Burkina Faso: 2
Morocco: 1
DR Congo: 1
Cameroon: 1
Sudan: 1

The figures show that Asante Kotoko have been the most active Ghana Premier League club in the foreign transfer market so far, accounting for six of the 10 completed moves ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Credit: Ghanasoccernet

Port City crowned Division One Zone 3 champions

Daniel Yeboah Nortey — Mon, 04 May 2026 21:07:17 +0000

Port City have officially been crowned champions of the Access Bank Division One League Zone Three after a thrilling 3-2 victory over WAFA SC in their Matchday 28 home fixture.

Having already secured qualification to the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League with three games to spare, Port City showed no signs of slowing down, extending their lead at the top with another impressive performance.

WAFA SC opened the scoring in the 12th minute through Sylvester Henyo, but Port City responded swiftly as Kedzie Korblah Junior converted from the penalty spot to level matters. Alex Boateng then put the hosts ahead before captain Hamza Zakaria extended the lead to 3-1 in the 61st minute.

Melchizedek Frimpong pulled one back for WAFA SC in the 76th minute, but it wasn’t enough to deny Port City the victory and the title celebrations.

This historic triumph sees Port City crowned champions of Zone Three and set to compete in the Ghana Premier League for the first time in the club’s history.

Images from the Kukurantumi Ohene Park:

Credit: Ghana FA

Port City set for coronation on Sunday

Elizabeth Alhassan Gyamfi — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:57:00 +0000

Port City will officially be crowned champions of Zone Three of the Access Bank Division One League on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at the Kukurantumi Ohene Park.

The coronation, which coincides with Matchday 28, will see Port City face former Premier League side WAFA SC, who are expected to form a guard of honour. The occasion will be graced by distinguished guests from the Ghana Football Association, traditional leaders, former players, and representatives from corporate Ghana.

Port City secured qualification to the Ghana Premier League with four games to spare, capping off a remarkable campaign. Their passionate supporters are eagerly anticipating a grand celebration, especially after the club narrowly missed out with a second-place finish last season.

This historic achievement marks Port City’s first-ever qualification to the Ghana Premier League, signalling a new chapter in the club’s journey.

Credit: Ghana FA

Ashantigold

Abdul Razak Odoi — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:48:16 +0000

FC AshantiGold ’04 secure Ghana Premier League qualification with three games to spare

1 day ago

FC AshantiGold ’04 have secured promotion to the 2026–27 Ghana Premier League with three games to spare after a dominant 4–1 home victory over Skyy FC. Their qualification was further confirmed following Ebusua Dwarfs’ 2–0 away defeat to Sefwi All Stars.

AshantiGold now sit on 58 points, holding an 11-point lead over second-placed Dwarfs, who have 47. With only three matches remaining and a maximum of nine points available, the gap is unassailable, officially confirming AshantiGold’s qualification to the topflight next season.

FC AshantiGold ’04 will compete in the Ghana Premier League from Zone Two, while Port City have also secured promotion from Zone Three.

Credit: Ghana FA

Police arrest two over deadly robbery attack on Berekum Chelsea team bus

Daniel Yeboah Nortey — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:51:20 +0000

The Police have arrested two suspects, including the alleged gang leader, in connection with a robbery attack on the Berekum Chelsea team bus that resulted in the death of a player.

The police in a statement issued Wednesday night (April 15) said one suspect was injured during a shootout with police and is receiving medical treatment.

“The Police have arrested the gang leader and one other suspect in connection with the robbery incident that led to the death of the Berekum Chelsea footballer,” the statement read.

“One of the suspects sustained injuries during an exchange of fire with the police intelligence teams and has been conveyed to the hospital for medical attention. Further details will be communicated,” it added.

The team was returning from a Ghana Premier League match against Samartex 1996 at Samreboi when six armed men blocked their bus and opened fire, forcing the driver off the road as players and officials fled for safety.

The VIP bus carrying about 30 players and officials — came under the attack at around 10:30pm.

In the chaos, the driver veered off the road into nearby bushes while players and staff fled for safety.

Credit: Graphic Online

NSA boss, IGP engage Kotoko over Pooley death

Abdul Razak Odoi — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:50:06 +0000

The Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, and the Head of Communications of Asante Kotoko, who is also the Legal Advisor to the Ministry of Sports and a Board Member of the National Sports Authority, Samuel Sarfo Duku Esq, on the instructions of the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, met the Inspector General of the Ghana Police Service, Tetteh Yohuno and the top hierachy of the service including the Director General of the CID, COP Lydia Donkor on the Nana Pooley case and the judgement debt for Asante Kotoko supporter, Augustine Kwaku Oppong.

Oppong secured judgement against the Police Service and others in a civil suit at the High Court Kumasi, in which the court awarded compensatory damages for the injuries he sustained in a Kotoko-Berekum Chelsea post-league match shooting incident at the Baba Yara Stadium in 2020.

It will be recalled that on January 12 2020, Kotoko played Chelsea in a league match at the Baba Yara Stadium and a post-match violence resulted in a police officer shooting Augustine Kwaku Oppong in his right eye.

The story touched the heart of lawyer Sarfo Duku, who offered to do a pro bono civil case for the victim. Augustine has totally lost vision in his right eye and life is becoming unbearable for him.

“Our Communications Director has been assured by the Police Service of an intensified investigation into the Pooley incident as the parties involved will again convene in the coming days for further discussions on both cases,” said a Kotoko source.

CAF President conveys condolences to family of Dominic Frimpong

Daniel Yeboah Nortey — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:17:28 +0000

The President of the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF), Dr Patrice Motsepe has conveyed his and CAF’s heartfelt condolences to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the family of Berekum Chelsea winger Dominic Frimpong.

Frimpong, 20, lost his life an incident that has shocked many in the Ghana and global football industry.

CAF President Dr Motsepe wrote a letter to Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku, Dr Motsepe and conveyed his and CAF’s condolences.

He wrote: “It is with profound sadness that I learned of the armed robbery attack on the bus of Berekum Chelsea, returning from a Ghana Premier League fixture, which claimed the life of 20-year-old winger Dominic Frimpong. Please pass my personal and CAF’s deepest condolences to the family, friends and teammates of Dominic Frimpong and to the Ghana Football Association.

“CAF is with you during this sad and painful period,” the CAF President added.

Credit: CAF Communication Department

Berekum Chelsea FC player dies after armed men attacked team bus

Daniel Yeboah Nortey — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:46:17 +0000

Ghanaian footballer Dominic Frimpong has died after suspected armed robbers opened fire at the bus carrying his team Berekum Chelsea back from a match.

Players and officials of Berekum Chelsea were attacked by suspected armed robbers on the Goaso–Bibiani road at Ahyiresu in the Ahafo Region on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

The incident occurred as the team was returning from their Matchday 29 Ghana Premier League fixture against FC Samartex 1996, where Berekum Chelsea lost by 1–0 at Dun’s Park in Samreboi.

“Masked men wielding guns and assault rifles” ambushed the bus and “blocked the road” as the team returned home on Sunday, according to the club.

Police say Frimpong sustained gunshot wounds and died while receiving treatment. A manhunt for the suspects is under way.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) expressed its “profound shock and deep sorrow”, describing the 20-year-old as a “promising young talent whose dedication and passion for the game embodied the spirit of our league”.

The team was on the road back from a Ghana Premier League game against Samartex in Samreboi – 270km (170 miles) away from Berekum – which they lost 1-0.

“[The men] started shooting at our bus as the driver tried to reverse,” Berekum Chelsea said in a statement on Monday. “The players and staff fled into nearby bushes to take cover.”

According to Ghanaian authorities, the bus had been carrying 30 players and officials when it came under attack by six armed men.

The police said its regional command has “deployed additional personnel and crime scene experts to the area”, and added that “perpetrators will be arrested within the shortest possible time”.

The GFA said it was in contact with the relevant authorities and the club, urging that “all necessary measures” should be taken to ensure justice is served.

In a separate statement, the Ghana Premier League expressed its “unwavering backing” for the team during their “difficult moment”, and called on security agencies to take “urgent steps to safeguard all participating clubs” as they travel for matches across the country.

Sunday’s attack once again highlights longstanding concerns over safety on major roads in Ghana.

In recent years, clubs including FC Savannah, Wa All Stars, Legon Cities and AshantiGold have reportedly experienced similar attacks.

Ghanaian sports journalist Muftawu Abdulai described the mood in the country as one of “shock and disappointment”, noting that fans are increasingly questioning whether it is “safe to travel and play league matches”.

“If the lives of the people or the key architect of the game cannot be protected then it is not worth playing the game,” Abdulai told BBC Sport Africa.

The GFA said it will be reviewing and strengthening security arrangements for clubs travelling for competitions within Ghana to “prevent such tragic occurrences in the future”.

Frimpong had joined Berekum Chelsea on loan from Aduana FC in January.

Aduana said they “mourn” his loss, and that their “prayers are with his family, Berekum Chelsea, and the football community”.

“Rest well,” their statement added.

The forward was set to stay at the team until the end of the premier league season. He had scored two goals in 13 appearances.

Berekum Chelsea were originally called Semereka FC when the club was formed in 2000.

Four years later, the name changed following the transfer of former Ghanaian national star Michael Essien to Chelsea, which sparked a rise in popularity for the English Premier League team in Ghana.

Credit: Graphic Online

Port City clinch Premier League promotion with four matches to go

Cecilia Delphina Boakye — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 05:50:00 +0000

Port City FC have secured promotion to the Ghana Premier League for the 2026–27 season after an outstanding campaign in Zone Three of the Access Bank Division One League, wrapping up the title with four matches still to play.

The runaway leaders sit on 61 points after Matchday 26, holding a 15-point lead at the top. Their closest challengers, Semper Fi FC, remain on 46 points, confirming Port City’s unassailable advantage with only 12 points left on offer.

Port City’s promotion has been built on remarkable consistency and resilience. They have recorded 18 wins, 7 draws, and just 1 defeat, underlining their dominance with four games still remaining.

They faced strong competition from sides such as Attram De Visser FC and Semper Fi FC, who pushed them at various stages of the season, but Port City held their nerve to stay firmly in control.

The achievement is a strong response to last season’s disappointment, when they finished second in the zone behind Hohoe United and narrowly missed out on promotion. This time they have gone one better, booking their top-flight place with games to spare.

Port City FC become the first team to secure promotion from the Division One League this season, with attention now turning to the remaining zones as other contenders battle for the final Premier League slots.

Credit: Ghana FA