In their final game of the 2015/16 GPL season, relegated Sekondi Hasaacas created some memorable memories from the very field they will attempt to launch their reentry to tier-one soccer as they trounced this season’s Champions – Wa All Stars – who were crowned champions after the match by three goals to nothing in a purely academic match to give their teeming fans something to cheer about at the exit.
Home | score | Away |
New Edubiase | 1-3 | Hearts of Oak |
Dreams FC | 0-2 | Ebusua Dwarfs |
Liberty Professionals | 3-1 | Bechem United |
Aduana Stars | 1-1 | Inter Allies |
Hasaacas | 3-0 | Wa All Stars |
Berekum Chelsea | 4-0 | Techiman City |
Asante Kotoko | 2-1 | WAFA |
Medeama SC | 3-3 | AshantiGold |
In matches of consequences with Premier League survival and destinies on the line, Cape Coast Mysterious Ebusua Dwarfs conjured enough mystique at the Theatre of Dreams to defeat hosts, Dreams FC by 2 goals to nothing to leapfrog the latter for the 9th spot as well as seal their spot for next season. In their rivalry match with serious survival implications on the line, Hitherto relegation threatened Berekum Chelsea had no mercy for neighbors Techiman City, overpowering the latter by four goals to nothing to help them on their way out to the soccer wilderness from whence they came just last year, and Inter Allies who needed at worse a point and an answered prayer from the ‘soccer gods’ for one of the teams that they were tied on 37points with to lose got what they needed as they managed to hold runner-ups Aduana Stars to a one all tie for a point that eventually sealed their survival. Liberty FC who were in the most precarious position of all and needed the maximum 3points to secure their stay, did just that, defeating visiting Bechem United by three goals to one to stave off relegation.
Elsewhere on the day, Hearts of Oak scored three goals for just the second this season to see off demoted New Edubiase, Asante Kotoko defeated visiting WAFA by two goals to one to end the season on a winning note, and in a match without any implications Medeama SC and dethroned PL Champions AshGold played to a three all tie at the Tarkwa T&A Park.
HASACAS 3-0 WA ALL STARS - Sekondi
2015/2016 Ghana Premier League champions Wa All Stars were walloped 3 goals to nil by relegated side Sekondi Hasaacas in their last match of the season which also witnessed their coronation as GPL Champions at the Essipong Stadium.
Hasaacas who were outstanding throughout the match will have to blame themselves for playing poorly prior to the 30th week which contributed to their exit. Wa All Stars who had nothing to lose made eight changes to their regular side. Enterprising Emmanuel Ocran, Black Stars keeper Richard Ofori and Hafiz Adams were among the notable names missing in the starting line-up.
But it was Hasaacas who needed the win badly to boost their morale and given their fans something to cheer about.
Hasaacas’ leading marksman Samuel Afful struck the opener for the home side in the 3rd minute from 25 yards out and took the lead into the break. Afful doubled the lead for the Hasmal Boys after tearing away from the two Wa All Stars defenders before hitting home from close range. In the dying embers of the game, a cross from Afful hit the hand of a Wa All Stars defender which resulted in a penalty. Prince Papa Arko converted to make it three for the home side. It was a good day for the Western Giants but the win came a tad too late to help them beat relegation.
NEW EDUBIASE 1-3 HEARTS OF OAK - Edubiase
Already Relegated side New Edubiase hosted Accra Hearts of Oak in a seeming farewell match before joining the second tier division. Edubiase had nothing to gain or lose and so much attention and seriousness was not seen but the relegated side surprised the Phobians in the first half as they dictated the pace, controlled the game and got the first goal through Abdul Wahab Annan at the stroke of half time.
Hearts of Oak looked lifeless in the first half with Cosmos Dauda and Patrick Razak squandering the few chances they had.
Back from the recess Hearts pushed men forward to avoid disgrace and earned a penalty kick which was wasted by Cosmos Dauda.
With the match heading towards a defeat for the Phobians, Patrick Razak equalized in the 74th minute and with the shift in the game’s momentum Cosmos Dauda amended for his missed spot kick with the second goal in the 78th minute before making it a personal double at the 80th minute mark.
With the win, the Phobians ended their season on the third spot, a point behind second place Aduana Stars and three points behind league winners Wa All Stars.
ADUANA STARS 1-1 INTER ALLIES - Aduana
Inter Allies managed to save their season on the last match day after leaving their fans sitting on tenterhooks from match day 1 before their deliverance on match day 30.
They were hosted by second place Aduana Stars at the Nana Agyeman Badu Park and they pulled an invaluable draw which earned them a point and that ended up being enough to secure their premiership status.
Allies surprisingly struck first in the first half with Prince Baffoe giving them the lead which they took into recess.
Inter Allies held on as Aduana Stars piled up pressure for the equalizer, but Bright Adjei eventually broke through to save a point for Aduana as Allies held on for a share of the spoils.
Thus, Allies survived the relegation battle after spending considerable time in the drop zone. They finished with 38points and the 12th spot, a point above the first relegation spot.
DREAMS FC 0-2 EBUSUA DWARFS - Dawu
Dreams FC lost for the third consecutive time as hosts of hitherto relegation threatened Ebusua Dwarfs at the Theatre of Dreams in Dawu. Dwarfs needed the available three points seriously to secure premiership status and they rose to the occasion.
Dreams FC looked lackadaisical on the day and it reflected in their performance as the Crabs managed to overcome them for the win to save their season.
Goals from Stephen Bentil and Joseph Amoah Mensah were enough to retain a spot for the Crabs come next season.
Dreams FC on the other hand had nothing to lose as they went into match day well above the relegation fray, but the loss cost them their quest to finish in the top half of the log after an impressive debut season.
ASANTE KOTOKO 2-1 WAFA - Kumasi
Kumasi Asante Kotoko avenged their first round loss to WAFA with a 2-1 win over the latter at the B. Yara Stadium.
Kotoko took the lead in the first half through Benett Ofori and held on till the second half when Black Satellite striker Charles Boateng restored parity for the Academy Lads. With the game seemingly heading to a tie former Gt. Olympics striker Kwame Boateng restored the lead for the Porcupine Warriors in the dying embers of the game.
The Porcupine warriors ended the season on a winning note, finishing fourth over Medeama SC. For WAFA who were undefeated at home the entire season, it was a good year two for them as they finished in the top six bracket.
BEREKUM CHELSEA 4-0 TECHIMAN CITY - Berekum
In the toughest and topmost relegation battle of the day, with the loser likely being eliminated from tier-one soccer, Berekum Chelsea handed neighbors Techiman City their marching orders with a resounding 4-0 drubbing.
Techiman City had a good first round to the season but were unable to keep pace in the second round as things got tougher whilst inconsistent performances at home and on the road forced B. Chelsea to wait till the last moment to assure their survival
Goals from Stephen Amankoma, Eric Ametepe, Stephen Owusu and Nana Tei Horsu handed hosts B. Chelsea the maximum points to save their season on 40points and the 10th spot. Techiman City’s debut ended on the 14th spot with 37points.
LIBERTY 3-1 BECHEM UNITED - Dansoman
Latif Blessing pulled a hat trick on match day 30 to secure Liberty’s premiership status. Liberty’s survival was hanging on a thread until they pulled that magical performance in Dansoman to ensure their survival. They hosted 2016 FA Cup champions Bechem United in the last match of the season which was a decider for the home side. They had their destiny in their hands and all hands had to be on deck to ensure survival.
But it was Latif Blessing who stole the show. His five star performance earned him a hat trick which also ensured that he ended the season as joint top scorer. In form Abednego Tetteh pulled a goal back but it was little too late for the visitors who had not relegation issues entering into the match.
Liberty secured the first safe spot (13th) on 38points to save their season after spending the last week with 35points in the first relegation spot.
MEDEAMA 3-3 ASHANTIGOLD - Tarkwa
CAF Confederations Cup campaigners Medeama were held by AshantiGold in a six-goal thriller at the Tarkwa T&A Park. Medeama were shooting for a top finish with the dethroned Champions who ended the season in mid-table having sealed their stay following last weekend’s 5-3 win over Asante Kotoko.
It was a keenly contested match that saw the dethroned champions – AshGold –cancel the deficit three straight times to snatch a point.
Akwasi Donsu grabbed a brace for Medeama and Yaro Ibrahim added one with AshantiGold scoring through Anthony Yerful, Shafiu Mumuni and Dauda Mohammed. Medeama ended the league on the fifth spot.
Albert kotey and Abena Alice
© 2016 ABENA ALICE/ALBERT KOTEY/MYGHANALINKS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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