The top-flight’s curtains came down on Sunday as goals rained in many centres whiles tears flowed down the cheeks of many supporters since their beloved clubs bid farewell to the Premier League
At long last, the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League season has finally comes to a successful end. Asante Kotoko who were not tipped by many pundits to win the title due to change in technical team and players defied the odds to lift the trophy in a grand style.
The Porcupine Warriors amassed 67 points, 13 points better than Medeama who finished in second position while King Faisal beat the drop once again on final day thanks to a 2-1 home win over Legon Cities.
Meanwhile, Ashanti Gold newly found superstar Yaw Annor broke the heart of Asante Kotoko striker Mbella Etouga on final day as he scored two goals against Gold Stars in Bibiani to emerge as the topscorer of the season.
Annor, who trailed Etouga throughout the season, did the most on the last day of the season as his two goals brought his tally to 22, one more better than his competitor, who also shot blank against Accra Lions.
Interestingly, Annor scored only six goals in the first round of the season but doubled his efforts to net 16 goals in the second round while Etouga who was leading after the first round with 11 goals could only score 10 goals in the second round.
Annor equalled Ishmael Addo’s 22 goals scored in 2001 and the duo have become the only two players to score most goals in a single season since the inception of professional league in the country.
He also became the only player to score a brace and haul (four goals) in separate games this season.
Again, Etouga has become the first Kotoko player to score 20+ goals in the professional era despite failing to win the goal king.
Elsewhere in Bechem, Augustine Okrah became Bechem United’s all-time topscorer after scoring 14 goals this season. He now boasts of 30 goals in 58 games for the Giants of Ahafo.
In total, 623 goals were scored in 306 matches played this season and there was an average goals of 2.04 per game.
Kotoko finished the campaign as the top scoring side after scoring 48 goals while Dreams FC closely followed with 47.
Meanwhile, Elmina Sharks conceded the most goals as the Botweako Mba shipped in an incredible 57 goals.
Out of the 306 games played, 149 games were recorded as home wins while 64 away wins were also recorded with 93 games ending in a draw.
Only Bechem United and Karela United maintained their unbeaten home record this season as they two teams went 17 games without a loss. Interestingly, the two clubs shared the spoils 1-1 when they met at each other’s home.
Hearts of Oak became one of the worst defending champions as they lost their last four games and finished sixth on the log in the process.
Bechem is the club with highest number of draws (15) while Sharks had the highest number of defeats, 23.
Also, Kotoko had the highest number of wins (19) and Sharks got the lowest number of wins (5).
Kotoko have now won their 24th Premier League title and first one since 2013/14 season.
shockingly, all the three clubs – RTU, Gold Stars and Accra Lions – that gained promotion to the Premier League last season maintained their status. Gold Stars and Lions were debutants and they will be playing their second season next term.
However, Eleven Wonders, Elmina Sharks and West African Football Academy have been relegated after several years in the top-flight and will be playing Division One League next season.
In spite of this, Wonders could survive relegation should Ghana Football Association throws away Ashanti Gold’s appeal against their demotion to Division Two for their involvement in match fixing scandal with Inter Allies.
More to be added soon…