Ghana Premier League
Ghana Premier League.png
Founded1956; 67 years ago (1956)
CountryGhana Ghana
ConfederationCAF
Number of teams18 (from 2019–20)
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toDivision One League
Domestic cup(s)Ghanaian FA Cup
Ghana Super Cup
International cup(s)CAF Champions League
CAF Confederation Cup
Current championsAsante Kotoko
(2021–22)
Most championshipsAsante Kotoko (24 titles)
TV partnersStarTimes (live matches)
Websiteghanafa.org/premier-league
Current: 2022–23 Ghana Premier League

The Ghana Premier League, currently known as the betPawa Premier League for sponsorship reasons,[1] is the top professional association football division of the football league system in Ghana.[2][3] Officially formed in 1956 to replace a previous league incarnation, the Gold Coast Club Competition (which began in 1933 and ended in 1953–54), the league is organized by the Ghana Football Association and was ranked as the 11th best league in Africa by the IFFHS from 2001 to 2010,[4] and the league was also ranked 65th in the IFFHS' Best Leagues of the World ranking, in the 1st Decade of the 21st Century (2001–2010).[5] on 4 February 2014.[6][7][8][9] It has been dominated by Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak. The bottom 3 teams are relegated at the end of each season and placed in each zone of the Ghanaian Division One League.

The 2019–20 season was halted and eventually cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana that mirrored the cause of postponement or cancellation of association football leagues and competitions across the globe.

Participating clubs (2022–23)

Eighteen teams will compete in the league; the 15 from the previous season and the 3 winners of the Division One zones. The promoted teams are Samartex and Kotoku Royals who both achieved promotion for the first time.[10] They replaced WAFA, Techiman Eleven Wonders and Elmina Sharks.[11][12]

Ghana Premier League is located in Ghana
Aduana
A. Kotoko King Faisal
Bechem
Nsoatreman
Nsoatreman
Bibiani G.
Berekum
Dreams
Kotoku Royals
Accra Lions Olympics Hearts Legon Cities
Medeama
Samartex
RTU Tamale City
RTU
Tamale City
Karela
Location of the 2022–23 Ghana Premier League teams

Stadiums and locations

Team Location Venue Capacity
Accra Lions FC Accra Accra Sports Stadium 40,000
Aduana Stars Dormaa Ahenkro Agyeman Badu Stadium 7,000
Asante Kotoko Kumasi Baba Yara Stadium 40,000
Bechem United Bechem Nana Gyeabour's Park 5,000
Berekum Chelsea Berekum Sports Stadium 5,000
Bibiani Gold Stars Bibiani Dun's Park 7,000
Dreams FC Dawu Dawu Sports Stadium 5,000
Great Olympics Accra Accra Sports Stadium 40,000
Hearts of Oak Accra Accra Sports Stadium 40,000
Karela United Aiyinase CAM Stadium 5,000
King Faisal Kumasi Baba Yara Stadium 40,000
Kotoku Royals[13] Akim Oda Akim Oda Stadium 3,000
Legon Cities Accra El Wak Stadium 7,000
Medeama Tarkwa TNA Park 15,000
Nsoatreman FC Nsuatre Nana Kronmansah Park 2,000
Real Tamale United Tamale Tamale Stadium 21,017
Samartex[14] Samreboi Samartex Park 7,000
Tamale City FC[15] Tamale Tamale Stadium 21,017

Club managers and captains

The table lists club managers.

Team Manager Captain
Accra Lions FC England James Francis Ghana Dominic Nsobila
Aduana Stars Ghana Paa Kwesi Fabin Ghana Bright Adjei
Asante Kotoko Burkina Faso Seydou Zerbo Ghana Richard Boadu
Bechem United Ghana Mingle Ocansey Kasim Ghana Kofi Agbesimah
Berekum Chelsea Ghana Christopher Ennin Ghana Fuseini Zackaria
Bibiani Gold Stars Ghana Micheal Osei Ghana Yakubu Haqq
Dreams FC Ghana Ignatius Osei-Fosu Ghana Abdul Jalilu
Great Olympics Ghana Yaw Preko Ghana Razak Kasim
Hearts of Oak Serbia Slavko Matić Ghana Mohammed Alhassan
Karela United Ghana Bismark Kobby Mensah Ghana Kwadwo Addai
King Faisal Ghana Jimmy Cobblah Ghana Samuel Kusi
Kotoku Royals Ghana Seth Ablade Ghana Kingsley Afriyie
Legon Cities Ghana Maxwell Konadu Ghana Jonah Attuquaye
Medeama Ghana David Duncan Ghana Kwasi Donsu
Nsoatreman FC Ghana Mohammed Gargo Ghana Obed Duah Anford
Real Tamale United Ghana Baba Nuhu Ghana David Abagna
Samartex Ghana Annor Walker Ghana Emmanuel Adu Siaw
Tamale City FC Ghana Mohammed Wahid Ghana Collins Amoah Boateng

Managerial changes

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in the table Incoming manager Date of appointment References
Real Tamale United Ibrahim Tanko Shaibu Resigned 26 July Pre-season Baba Nuhu 12 August 2022 [16][17]
Samartex Henry Wellington End of Interim Charge 31 July Pre-season Annor Walker 5 August 2022 [18]
Great Olympics Annor Walker Signed by Samartex 5 August 2022 Pre-season Yaw Preko 6 August 2022 [19]
Hearts of Oak Samuel Boadu Sacked 28 September 2022 14th Slavko Matić 19 October 2022 [20][21]
King Faisal Branko Božović Sacked 4 October 2022 18th Jimmy Cobblah 7 October 2022 [22][23]

Previous winners

Previous winners of the Ghana Premier League are as follows:

List of Ghanaian football champions since 1956

Clubs City/Region Years Winners Last title
Asante Kotoko Kumasi, Ashanti 1959, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1967–1968, 1969, 1972, 1975, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988–89, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 2003, 2005, 2007–08, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2021–22 24 2021–22
Hearts of Oak Accra, Greater Accra 1956, 1958, 1961–62, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1984, 1985, 1989–90, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2020–21 21 2020–21
Ashanti Gold[d] Obuasi, Ashanti 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 2015 4 2015
Great Olympics Accra, Greater Accra 1970, 1974 2 1974
Aduana Stars Dormaa Ahenkro, Bono 2009–10, 2017 2 2017
Eleven Wise Sekondi-Takoradi, Western Region 1960 1 1960
Real Republicans Accra, Greater Accra 1962–63 1 1962–63
Mysterious Dwarfs Cape Coast, Ghana Central Region 1967 1 1967
Sekondi Hasaacas Sekondi-Takoradi, Western Region 1977 1 1977
Berekum Chelsea Berekum, Bono 2010–11 1 2010–11
Legon Cities[e] Accra, Greater Accra 2016 1 2016

Top scorers by season

1973–2021 Ghana Premier League Top Scorers[25][26]
Season Best scorers Team Goals Ref
1973 Ghana Peter Lamptey Hearts of Oak 26 [27]
1974 Ghana Dan Owusu Bofoakwa Tano 24 [28]
1975 Ghana Dan Owusu Bofoakwa Tano 26 [28]
1976 Ghana Dan Owusu Bofoakwa Tano 28 [28]
1977 Ghana George Alhassan Great Olympics —
1978 Ghana Muhammed Choo Real Tamale United 22 [29]
1979 Ghana Opoku Afriyie Asante Kotoko —
1980 Ghana Emmanuel Quarshie Sekondi Hasaacas 18 [30]
1981 Ghana Opoku Afriyie Asante Kotoko 21 [31]
1982 Ghana Muhammed Choo Real Tamale United 15 [29]
1983 Ghana Anane Kobo Real Tamale United —
1984 Ghana Anane Kobo Real Tamale United —
1985 Ghana George Alhassan Great Olympics —
1986 Ghana Tony Yeboah Cornerstones —
1987 Ghana Tony Yeboah Cornerstones —
1988–89 Ghana Henry Acquah Hearts of Oak —
1989–90 Ghana Muhammed Tijani Cornerstones 15 [32]
1990–91 Ghana Thomas Boakye Asante Kotoko —
1991–92 Ghana Abdul Mumuni Dawu Youngstars —
1992–93 Ghana Augustine Ahinful Goldfields 12
1993–94 Ghana Oscar Laud Dawu Youngstars —
1994–95 Ghana Charles Amoah Okwawu United —
1995–96 Ghana Kofi Deblah Goldfields —
1996–97 Ghana Kofi Deblah Goldfields —
1997–98 Ghana Joe Fameyeh Hearts of Oak —
1999 Ghana Ishmael Addo Hearts of Oak 19
2000 Ghana Ishmael Addo Hearts of Oak 21
2001 Ghana Ishmael Addo Hearts of Oak 22
2002 Ghana Bernard Dong Bortey
Ghana Charles Asampong Taylor 		Hearts of Oak 18
2003 Ghana Shaibu Yakubu Goldfields Obuasi 13
2004–05 Ghana Samuel Yeboah Heart of Lions —
2005 Ghana Prince Tagoe Hearts of Oak 18
2006–07 Ghana Emmanuel Clottey Great Olympics 14
2007–08 Ghana Eric Bekoe Asante Kotoko 17
2008–09 Ghana Alex Asamoah Asante Kotoko 16
2009–10 Ghana Bismark Idan
Ghana Samuel Afum 		Kessben
Hearts of Oak 		13
2010–11 Ghana Nana Poku Berekum Arsenal 17
2011–12 Ghana Emmanuel Baffour New Edubiase United 21
2012–13 Ghana Mahatma Otoo Hearts of Oak 20
2013–14 Ghana Augustine Okrah Bechem 16
2015 Ghana Kofi Owusu Berekum Chelsea 19
2016 Ghana Latif Blessing Liberty Professionals 14
2017 Ghana Hans Kwofie Ashanti Gold 17
2018[a] Ghana Hafiz Konkoni
Ghana Kwasi Donsu 		Bechem United
Medeama 		8
2019–20[c] Niger Victorien Adebayor International Allies 12
2020–21 Ghana Diawisie Taylor Karela United 18
2021–22 Ghana Yaw Annor Ashanti Gold 24 [33]

Broadcasting rights

In September 2013, SuperSport secured the television production and broadcast rights to the Ghana Premier League after signing a deal with the GFA.[34] In 2017, Pay-TV provider and broadcaster StarTimes secured the official television production and broadcast rights holder for the league, broadcasting live matches per matchday on their branded decoders and equipment. [35]

See also

Notes and references

Notes

  1. ^ a b Abandoned on 7 June 2018 as a result of the dissolution of the GFA owing to Anas Aremeyaw Anas' investigative documentary on the body's internal corruptive operations.
  2. ^ Known as 2019 Ghana Football Association Normalization Committee Special Competition.
  3. ^ a b Abandoned and daclared null and void as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequential impact on its football operations.
  4. ^ Formerly known as Obuasi Goldfields.
  5. ^ Formerly known as Wa All Stars FC.

References

  1. ^ "GFA announces betPawa as new headline sponsor of the Ghana Premier League". www.ghanafa.org. 3 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Summary – Premier League – Ghana – Results, fixtures, tables and news – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  3. ^ Teye, Prince Narkotu (19 February 2016). "Ghana Premier League: An Idiot's Guide". www.goal.com. Goal. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Africa's strongest League in the 1st Decade of the 21st Century (2001–2010)". IFFHS. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  5. ^ "The strongest Leagues in the World in the 1st Decade of 21st Century (2001–2010)". IFFHS. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  6. ^ "First Capital Plus rescues Premier League with $10million sponsorship". Graphic Ghana. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  7. ^ "Sports Minister hails First Capital Plus Bank for sponsoring Premier League". ghanasoccernet.com. 4 February 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  8. ^ "First Capital Plus Bank signs up for $10m as league sponsor". ghanafa.org/. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  9. ^ "First Capital Plus makes first payment to Ghana League". MTNFootball.com. Archived from the original on 6 February 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  10. ^ "Division One League: Accra Lions earn historic promotion to the GPL after victory over Danbort". GhanaSoccernet.com. 18 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  11. ^ "2021/22 Ghana Premier League: Elmina Sharks go into final matchday already relegated". GhanaWeb. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  12. ^ "2021/22 Ghana Premier League: Elmina Sharks relegated after defeat to Berekum Chelsea". GhanaSoccernet. 29 May 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  13. ^ "Oda-based Kotoku Royals secure Ghana Premier League promotion". GhanaSoccernet. 12 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  14. ^ "FC Samartex book historic qualification to Ghana Premier League". Citi Sports Online. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  15. ^ "Tamale City FC secure 2022/23 betPawa Premier League qualification". Ghanafa.org. 8 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  16. ^ "RTU announces the appointment of Baba Nuhu as new manager". footballghana. 12 August 2022.
  17. ^ "RTU and coach Shaibu Ibrahim Tanko part ways ahead of new season". ghanaweb. 27 July 2022.
  18. ^ "Samartex FC Announce Annor Walker As New Head Coach". theghanareport. 7 August 2022.
  19. ^ "Great Olympics name Yaw Preko as new head coach following Annor Walker's departure". ghanasoccernet. 10 September 2022.
  20. ^ "Hearts sack Samuel Boadu". graphic.com.gh. 27 September 2022.
  21. ^ "Slavko Matic: Hearts confirms Serbian tactician as new head coach". ghanaweb. 20 October 2022.
  22. ^ "King Faisal sack Coach Branko Bozovic". happyghana.com. 3 October 2022.
  23. ^ "Experienced gaffer Jimmy Cobblah named new King Faisal head coach". modernghana. 3 October 2022.
  24. ^ "Asante Kotoko are Ghana Premier League champions". 2 June 2022.
  25. ^ "List of Topscorers". Ghana Web. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  26. ^ "Top Scorers". World Football. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  27. ^ Osei Asibey, Charles (23 September 2010). "Peter Lamptey, Ghana's first 'goalking'". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  28. ^ a b c Yeboah, Thomas Freeman (8 April 2020). "I owe the success of my football career to Kwasi Owusu: Three times league top scorer Dan Owusu reveals". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  29. ^ a b "'Attach former goal kings to national teams' – Choo". Modern Ghana. Ghana News Agency. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  30. ^ "1985 FA Cup Champions: Hasmal players jubilate after 2–1 win against Asante Kotoko". Sekondi Hasaacas F.C. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  31. ^ Teye, Prince Narkortu (30 March 2020). "'Rest well legend' – Ghanaians react to news of Opoku Afriyie's demise". www.goal.com. Goal. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  32. ^ "Down Memory Lane – Penalty Shootout in Ghana League Started In 1989–90 Premier League". NAB Online. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  33. ^ "2021/22 GPL: Yaw Annor nets twice to end campaign as top goalscorer". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  34. ^ "SuperSport not bidding for broadcast rights of Ghana Premier League". 9 January 2020.
  35. ^ "STARTIMES ACQUIRES GHANA PREMIER LEAGUE MEDIA RIGHTS". Sport Industry Group. 24 November 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2018.

External links

Football in Ghana
Ghana Premier League
Ghana Premier League seasons
Top-level football leagues of Africa (CAF)
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