GPL 1st round statistics: 288 goals, 18 red cards

By Ernest Bako WUBONTO

Medeama SC ended the first round of the Premier League (GPL) as leaders with 34 points, a better performance by a single point, compared to last season’s first-round leaders, Gold Stars, who topped the table with 33 points.

Gold Stars have shown remarkable consistency, recording 33 points last season and 32 points in the first round of the current campaign.

Holding onto the ‘west side legacy’, Tarkwa-based Western Region giants Medeama SC, who finished seventh last season with 26 points, have improved significantly to garner eight additional points and rise to the top position on the league table.

The two biggest clubs in the country, Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, have maintained their respective positions from last season’s first round, as Kotoko finished third last season with 31 points and remained third but with a one-point drop while Hearts of Oak also held on to the fifth place, with their points tally reducing marginally from 29 by a point to 28.

Similarly, Karela United have also recorded an impressive turnaround. After finishing 16th last season, they now sit seventh at the end of the first round, emerging as the most improved team among the previous season’s bottom-placed sides.

Among the promoted teams, Swedru All Blacks are the best placed this season, occupying ninth position with 22 points after the first round.

Interestingly, this mirrors last season’s trend when Basake Holy Stars, who were the best-performing promoted side, also finished the first round ninth with 22 points.

Eleven Wonders reside at the bottom of the table with just six points, triple that of Berekum Chelsea, who occupy the 17^th position with 18 points. Even though the Techiman-based team has kicked off the second round on a good note, securing a 2-0 win over Basake Holy Stars over the weekend, it will take a miracle to escape relegation by the end of this second round.

The first round saw 153 matches across various venues, with 87 of those games going in favour of the home teams while the away teams grabbed all three points in 21, with the remaining 45 ending in a draw.

Goals scored within the period stood at 288, with 28 of them being penalty kicks and nine own-goals. 196 scored by the home teams and 92 by the visiting teams. About 139 of these goals occurred in the first half, while the other 149 happened in the second half.

In terms of disciplinary actions, referees issued 565 yellow cards and 18 red cards, awarding 36 penalties in the process.

Kerela United, Goldstars FC and Samartex 1996 top the penalty-awarded tally with four spot kicks each in their favour, followed by Medeama and Bechem United with three each.

The race for the goal king remains in a fierce competition, with Samuel Attah Kumi of Gold Stars SC leading with eight goals, followed closely by Emmanuel Annor – Nations FC and Prince Tweneboah – Basake Holy Stars FC, both with seven goals. Rudolf J. Mensah – Swedru All Blacks FC and Suraj Seidu – Dreams FC, also follow up closely with six goals respectively.

In terms of teams that had most of their games ending in draws, Hearts of Oak, Medeama and Karela United lead the chart with seven, followed by Asante Kotoko, Heart of Lions, Samartex, Visions FC, Hohoe United and Young Apostles with six draw games respectively.

The top five assist providers in the first round include Peter Amidu Acquah of Asante Kotoko SC, leading with seven, followed by Remember Boateng – Aduana FC, with five while Richmond Nsiah Coka – Young Apostles FC, Solomon Agyei – FC Samartex and Barimah Baah – Gold Stars SC have four each.

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