There will be of course hue and cry within some quarters of our game, especially when relegation comes calling, but there have been other intriguing sides which need a mention in our top-flight, especially as Cameroonian striker Mbella Etouga battles local boy Yaw Annor for the topscorer’s award
Goals are what most women who watch football and other gentlemen who love other sports than football want and, it is one thing that rains on any final day of Ghana Premier League.
Here, this writer chronicles the award from 2012, to bring back the joy on the faces of some players, as well as how others failed to get their names in the record books of Ghana football — one thing that they will never forget.
Apart from former Bechem United forward Augustine Okrah and former Karela United star Diawisie Taylor, the Ghana Premier League topscorers in the last six seasons scored at least two goals on final day to pip their other contenders to the glory.
In 2012-13 season, a last-minute hat-trick from Don Mahatma Otoo against relegated Tema Youth, helped the Hearts of Oak skipper to land the golden boot with 20 goals, one shy of the previous winner Emmanuel Baffour.
Otoo began the season on a high note with a hat-trick on matchday two against New Edubiase and although he was scoring goals for fun, the final day was his breakthrough.
The following season, Okrah scored one and missed a penalty against Amidaus Professionals as he won the accolade ahead of Kotoko’s Seidu Bancey, who scored 12 goals.
In 2014-15 season, Nathaniel Ohene Asamoah who was then playing for Medeama, opted to join Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca while he was leading the Ghana Premier League topscorer’s chart with 18 goals, five above Berekum Chelsea’s Kofi Owusu.
However, Owusu gradually closed in and on final day, his brace against Wa All Stars including the last kick of the game which was a penalty, won him the goal king title with 19 goals.
Last two seasons, with four matches remaining, Latif Blessing was trailing Yahaya Mohammed by a goal and it even became two goals ahead of the final day.
However, the former Liberty Professionals star doubled his efforts to score a hat-trick against Bechem United in a 3-0 victory to win golden boot with 17 goals, since Yayaha Mohammed shot blank.
And, in the 2019/20 season, a haul or quadruple from Ashanti Gold’s striker Hans Kwofie against champions Aduana Stars, helped him to shrug off competition from Berekum Chelsea’s Stephen Sarfo, who was leading the chart before kickoff.
Kwofie’s four goals means that he finished the season with 17 goals, same level as his predecessor Latif Blessing.
After the Premier League went into a hiatus due to bribery and corruption scandals, it returned in 2021 and Karela United striker Diawisie Taylor annexed the accolade.
The 21-year-old scored 18 goals in 31 matches to emerge the overall topscorer ahead of Kwame Peprah of King Faisal and Hans Kwoffie of Legon Cities who netted 12 goals apiece.
On the final day of the season, Taylor was the obvious winner as he had taken a five-goal advantage and finally made it six when he scored the consolation goal as Karela lost 2-1 to Aduana Stars in Dormaa Ahenkro.
In the 2021/22 season, the race for the goal king award has been keenly contested between Asante Kotoko striker Mbella Etouga and Ashanti Gold forward Yaw Annor although Augustine Okrah also have a near-impossible chance.
After 32 games, Etouga leads with 21 goals, one better than Annor with Okrah having 14 goals and Etouga as well as Annor have one home and away games to play each.
Kotoko, who are the new champions were officially crowned on Sunday when they hosted and whipped relegated Elmina Sharks 3-0 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Despite, three goals coming in the game, especially for Kotoko, Etouga failed to have one in his name. He surprisingly fluffed all the chances that came his way as his countryman Georges Mfegue Rodrigues scored twice to add to Imoro Ibrahim’s wonderful free-kick.
At the same time, Annor faced his former club Bechem United at the Len Clay Sports Stadium in Obuasi and also failed to close in.
Annor initially shot to fame in 2015 when his two goals helped Bechem to win their maiden FA Cup trophy against Okwawu United. This time, in the opponents camp, Annor had different ideas and agendas – at least a goal to keep the chase on Etouga but his runs were always thwarted.
On the final day of the season, Kotoko travelled to Accra Sports Stadium to face debutants Accra Lions and the game was played earlier than other games due to the stadium hosting three clubs.
Although, Kotoko shared the spoils 1-1 with Lions, Etouga could not score once again but only provide an assist to Samuel Boateng for Kotoko’s equaliser.
Meanwhile, Ashanti Gold will trek to the Sefwi land on Sunday to face another debutants in the shape of Gold Stars in Bibiani.
Here, the dust will obviously settle as goals galore is what soccer connoisseurs and pundits anticipate just like in previous seasons when the stakes are high.
Yaw Annor is expected to at least score one goal to be a joint winner of the Ghana Premier League goal king with Etouga or score twice to be the sole winner.
