Ghana Premier League Week 03 Roundup: Aduana and AshantiGold maintain perfect starts, B. Chelsea stun Kotoko, Hearts of Oak end winless start, Bechem United and Karela FC all win

Asante Kotoko’s strong start to the season took a significant hit at home where they were stunned to a lone goal loss by B. Chelsea. The third time ended up being the charm for Accra Hearts of Oak as they ended their two-game losing start to the season with a win over Ebusua Dwarfs to move out of bottom of the table, and Dreams FC were stiff-armed at home by Legon Cities FC who held them to a goalless tie for a share of the spoils.

Also on Sunday, Bechem United edged Accra Gt. Olympics for their second win of the season, Karela FC returned to winning ways at home with a 2-1 win over Inter Allies, and Elmina Sharks failed to capitalize on their home court as they were held to a goalless tie by WAFA.

Earlier on Saturday, Liberty Professionals were denied the full spoils at home as Medeama SC came from a goal down for a point.

Kotoko 0-1 Berekum Chelsea

Title hopeful side, Asante Kotoko picked up their first shocking loss of the season after going down by a lone goal to B. Chelsea at home.

Having been written off ahead of the game, the Blues got off to the best possible start with an early 7^th minute goal courtesy of Kofi Owusu who beat Felix Anan in goal for Kotoko with a shot to the left bottom corner of the post following a pass from Jeorge Ranchi in the box.

Kotoko mounted a strong attack for the equalizer, but a 17^th minute appeal for a penalty that was waved away and a beautifully saved effort from Emmanuel Gyamfi by Ibrahim Danlad in goal for Chelsea did not help matters.

A return from recess saw Songne Yacouba and Augustine Okrah go painfully go close for Kotoko and Jonah Attuquaye forcing Felix Annan to save his 70^th minute strike. A second yellow card to Empem Dacosta did not help matters for Kotoko as their guests held on for the win. Victory sees Chelsea in 6^th on 7 points, a point and a spot better than their hosts.

Hearts 2-1 Dwarfs

Hard-pressed Accra Hearts of Oak finally ended their woeful two-game losing start to the season with a win over Ebusua Dwarfs at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday courtesy of brilliant free kicks from Joseph Esso and Kofi Kordzi, whilst Albert Hammond grabbed a consolation goal for the Crabs who lost a third straight on the day.

Esso’s brilliantly  curled kick (30) gave Hearts a comfortable lone goal advantage at the break, before Togolese import, Kofi Kordzi,  made it a double from a beautifully bent free kick shortly after the break.

Hammond pulled one back for his side, following a poorly cleared long by Hearts of Oak’s Mohammed Alhassan. Energized by the goal, Dwarfs upped their game and went in search of the equalizer, but Hearts held on for the win and a move up to the 11^th spot. Dwarfs dropped to the first relegation spot.

Aduana Stars 2-1 King Faisal

Aduana Stars continued their quest for the Premier League title with a 2-1 win over struggling King Faisal to go top of the table on Sunday.

Yahaya Mohammed’s brace – his 4^th and 5^th goals of the young season handed all the spoils to the Fire Boys.

Mohammed opened his scoring account in the 31^st minute after latching on to a well-placed pass from Pious Yeboah before doubling his side’s advantage at the 59^th minute mark after finishing off a cross from Isaac Kwain.

A a sumptuous strike from Bashiru Osman 10 minutes to time gave Faisal hopes of getting back into the game, but Aduana held on for their third straight win and a trip to the top of the table.  Faisal dropped to the 17^th spot.

Bechem 1-0 Olympics

Accra Gt. Olympics kept course with their dismal return to the Premiership as they lost for the third straight time in as many outings, this time, to Bechem United, by a lone goal.

It was total domination for the Hunters, who were unable to convert their superiority into more goals, but Prince Adu Kwabena’s 28^th minute goal was the difference maker as Bechem improved to two wins on the season for the 8^th spot, while Gt. Olympics dropped to the bottom of the table.

Elmina Sharks 0-0 WAFA

WAFA lost their 100% start to the season but picked up a crucial point on the road against Elmina Sharks who were in search of their first win of the season.

The Sharks went close to getting the opener 15 minutes into the game but Raphael Ocloo saw his cross from the left headed wide by Benjamin Tweneboah with the WAFA goalie completely beaten and off his line. Joy Fumador who came on for injured Suraj Ibrahim after 20 minutes saw his goal disallowed for offside just before the break.

Both sides had some good scoring in the second half, but it was the Sharks who should have gone up at the 53 minute mark, but Tweneboah saw his powerful shot from the box denied entry by WAFA’s goalie.

The result sees the Sharks in 14^th on 2points with WAFA in 5^th.

Dreams 0-0 Legon Cities

A bright and forceful start to the game was not enough for Dreams FC as Legon Cities FC put up a quality performance for a crucial point with a heroic performance from their goalie.

Dreams saw their first attempt at goal go off the upright from the boot of Philemon Baffour but Legon Cities fought back with striker Sadick Sulley smashing in a thunderbolt of a strike from his favourite left foot but the ball was tipped over the frame by Peter Sarkodie, the Dreams FC goalkeeper.

Twenty minutes into the second half, Sulley dribbled past two players on the line, cut in and shot at goal but the ball was saved by goalkeeper Sarkodie.

Seven minutes from time, Legon Cities FC cried robbery after referee waved for play to continue for an incident inside their opponent's box.

Dreams dropped to 4^th on 7point.  Legon Cities has the 13^th spot.

Ashgold 2-0 Techiman XI Wonders

AshantiGold maintained their strong start to the season with another impressive home performance that saw them hand Eleven Wonders an emphatic 2-0 defeat.

The home side got off to a strong start with XI wonders goalie John Moosie making a spectacular save to deny Amos Addai the opener just before the 20^th mark, before Felix Akorlor cleared the ball off the goal line (28) to deny the Miners again.

However, the Miners pressed on and Emmanuel Owusu broke the deadlock (29) to put AshantiGold in front, following an excellent effort by Mark Agyekum to set him up.  Mark Agyekum doubled the lead with a magnificent curling shot after receiving a pass from Abdul Latif Anabila on the stroke of halftime. A 49^th minute chance to reduce the deficit was blown wide by Seth Osei.

Victory moves AshantiGold to second, behind Aduana Stars on goals difference, with Eleven Wonders in 15^th after losing all 3 games to start the season.

Karela 2-1 Inter Allies

Karela United FC scored their first home of the season after defeating Inter Allies by two goals to one.

Frankyln Osei’s sixth minute goal from a powerful drive held till Victorien Adebayor scored from the rebound after his initial penalty kick was punched away by Karela’s goalie. Both sides battled in vain for the winner, but it was the home side that had the last laugh as Abega Fosu struck home in injury time for the maximum points.  Karela moved up to the 9^th spot, whilst Inter Allies dropped to 12^th.

Liberty Prof FC 1-1 Medeama

Liberty Professionals and Medeama SC played to a 1-1 tie on Saturday at the Dansoman Carl Reindorf Park.

Following a barren and lackluster first half, Elvis Baffour gave Liberty the lead halfway through the second half via a spot kick but a resilient Medeama side leveled the score through Nana Kofi Babil, who scored for the third straight time in as many outings, following a quick counter attack on 78 minutes that caught Liberty off guard.

Liberty, who remain unbeaten picked up their third points of the season for the 10^th spot, while Medeama ceded the top spot for the third.

Ghana Premier League Week 03 Scores At A Glance

Kotoko 0-1 Berekum Chelsea

Hearts 2-1 Dwarfs

Aduana Stars 2-1 King Faisal

Bechem 1-1 Olympics

Elimina Sharks 0-0 WAFA

Liberty Prof FC 1-1 Medeama

Dreams 0-0 Legon Cities

Ashgold 2-0 Techiman XI Wonders

Karela 2-1 Inter Allies

Some material from ghanasoccernet was used in this compilation.

Hearts of Oak players celebrate a goal over Ebusua Dwarfs in their Week 03 encounter played at the Accra Sports Stadium on January 12^th, 2020. Image credit – Dada Oliseh photos