GPL Week 9 wrap-up: Hearts silence ‘stubborn’ XI Wonders, Kotoko, Dreams, Medeama earn vital away points, Karela obliterate Chelsea

The Premier league once again brought us some exciting games. Olympics bounced back to winning ways, Karela thrashed Berekum Chelsea, Hearts continue their impressive run, whiles Kotoko picked a valuable point at WAFA.

We take a look at our things unfolded in all nine (9) games:

INTER ALLIES 0-2 GREAT OLYMPICS

Great Olympics defeated Inter Allies 2-0 in the Accra derby to bounce back to winning ways. Olympics started the game the better side and found themselves ahead in the 8th minute, they were awarded a spot kick after Desmond Abuga tripped his opponent in the box. Maxwell Nii Abbey Quaye stepped up and beat goalkeeper Rashid Seidu. Inter Allies in most parts of the game saw more of the ball, but they failed to do anything useful with it in the final third. Great Olympics made it 2-0 in 80th minute, they were awarded a spot kick after Ernest Adu handled the ball in the 18 yard box. Maxwell Nii Abbey Quaye stepped up once again and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Man of the match: Philip Nii Sackey (Great Olympics)

LIBERTY PROFESSIONALS 1-2 EBUSUA DWARFS

Mysterious Ebusua Dwarfs came from a goal down to defeat Liberty Professionals 2-1 at the Carl Reindorf park. Liberty dominated the opening minutes of the game and took the lead in the 16th minute through Abraham Wayo from a spot kick. Liberty failed to hold on to their lead into the break, Michael Asamoah headed in a cross to make it 1-1. The opening minutes of the second half saw both teams create good opportunities, but the goalkeepers were at their best to stop the ball from hitting the back of the net. Dwarfs went ahead in the 83rd minute, Moro Sumaila pounced on a defensive error and calmly beat the goalkeeper. Ebusua Dwarfs were reduced to 10 men in the 86th minute, Simon Martey was shown a straight red car for a high foot challenge. Despite being a man down, Dwarfs held on to win 2-1.

Man of the match: Kojo Kordah (Ebusua Dwarfs)

ADUANA STARS 2-1 LEGON CITIES

Legon Cities’ poor start to the season continued as they lost 2-1 to Aduana Stars in Dormaa. Aduana Stars took the lead the 20th minute through Yahaya Mohammed, the veteran striker scored from about 35 meters to give his side the lead. The Royals went into the break a goal down but hit back right after the break, Francis Addo Nuer scored to make it 1-1. Aduana Stars quickly regained the lead in the 49th minute, Fatawu Abdul Rahman scored to make it 2-1. Aduana Stars held on in the remaining minutes to pick all 3 points.

Man of the match: Hafiz Adams (Aduana Stars)

ASHANTIGOLD 0-0 MEDEAMA

AshantiGold failed to score in a league game only for the 2nd time this season as they were held by Medeama. The first half of the game ended scoreless with both sides failing to create any big opportunity. Ebenezer Ackahbi had the first big chance of the 2nd half but he failed to beat Felix Clottey in a one on one situation. AshantiGold also at their chance at the other end, Frank Boateng prevented the ball from hitting the net twice, he denied Hans Kwoffie and Emmanuel Owusu in the 61st and 78th minute respectively. The game after 90 minutes ended scoreless.

Man of the match: Michael Enu (AshantiGold)

BECHEM UNITED 1-1 DREAMS

Bechem United failed to win at home for the second consecutive time as they were held by the rejuvenated Dreams FC side. The home side opened the scoring in the 11th minute through Moro Salifu from the spot. Dreams FC pulled parity in the 73rd minute, Ibrahim Issah scored from a spot. The remaining of the game saw Bechem United ask the Dreams FC defense questions, but the Dreams FC were also there to provide answers.

KARELA 4-1 BEREKUM CHELSEA

Karel United continued their impressive form at home as they defeated Berekum Chelsea 4-1 at the Crosby Awuah Memorial (CAM) Park. Diawisie Taylor opened the scoring for Karela in the 11th minute. The home side failed to protect their lead into the break, they were pegged back by a Joshua Andoh strike in the 30th minute. Karela regained the lead just minutes of the recess, Kwame Boateng the goal scorer. Kwame Boateng was on target again in the 62nd minute to make it 3-1 for his side. Diawisie Taylor wrapped things up from the spot in the 73rd minute.

Man of the match: Kwame Boateng (Karela United)

KING FAISAL 1-1 ELMINA SHARKS

King Faisal picked a point against Elmina Sharks at the Ohene Ameyaw Park. Elmina Sharks took the lead in the 40th minute, James Bissue scored from the spot to give them the lead. King Faisal came from the break firing at all cylinders and had a deserving goal in the 60th minute, Toufic Razak scored a sweet free kick to make it 1-1. The remaining minutes of the game saw both sides push for the winning goal but it wasn’t meant to happen today. The game ended 1-1.

Man of the match: Frimpong Boateng (King Faisal)

WAFA 1-1 ASANTE KOTOKO

A Kwame Poku second half strike earned Asante Kotoko a point against WAFA at the Sogakope park. WAFA dominated the opening minutes of the game and came close twice through Augustine Boakye and Christian Agbevor. WAFA finally got the goal they deserved in the 29th minute, Daniel Lomotey lobbed the goalkeeper in a very complex situation. Kotoko came close to leveling mattress on a number of occasions but were denied by Boliver Owusu. The Porcupine Warriors cancelled WAFA’s lead in the 62nd minute, Kwame Opoku received a through pass inside the penalty box, shielded the ball from the opponent and calmly beat the goalkeeper. Both sides from then pushed men forward with the hope of grabbing the winner, but to no avail, the game ended 1-1.

Man of the match: Augustine Boakye (WAFA)

HEARTS OF OAK 2-0 ELEVEN WONDERS

Hearts of Oak scored in each half to defeat Eleven Wonders 2-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday evening. The Phobians after missing two good opportunities in the early minutes of the game took the lead in the 12th minute, Abdul Manaf Umar connected with a good cross from skipper Mohammed Fatawu to beat John Moosie at his near post. Hearts of Oak dominated the half and came close again in the 45th minute through Fredrick Ansah Botchway, his effort from long range missed the post by inches. The Rainbow boys made it 2-0 just minutes after the recess, Victor Aidoo scored with low drive from outside the box. Both sides failed to create any big opportunity in the remaining minutes of the game. Hearts of Oak held on to win 2-0.

Man of the match: William Dankyi

All GAMEWEEK NINE RESULTS

LEAGUE STANDINGS AFTER 9 GAMES

By Mahama Shaibu