The blind pass: A weekly feature on the Ghana Premier League

The musical chairs at the summit of the log took another twist as Hearts of Oak took their turn to ascend top spot. It was yet another weekend where 3 of the top 4 teams dropped valuable points.

The biggest casualty was All Stars who fell to West Africa Football Academy at the Sogakope Redbull arena. At the interval the doom of then league leaders had already been spelt as they were down by 2 goals.

They rallied to pull one back in the second half but it was too little too late. Asante Kotoko drew blank at home failing to put to bed any of the numerous chances created in their game against FA cup finalist Bechem United.

A rare point for Bechem United away from home and one which could make the difference in their fight to stay up. Bottom placed New Edubiase pegged back free scoring Aduana Stars at Dormaa holding them in a 1 all drawn game.

Hearts of Oak were the biggest winners on a weekend where all their rivals in the title charge took a nosedive. They leapfrogged All stars and Kotoko to the top after a narrow win at Sekondi Hasaacas. Champions Ashanti Gold put their home woes behind them and pipped Inter Allies by a goal to nil.

Berekum Chelsea recorded a routine 1 nil home victory over Ebusua Dwarfs. Dreams FC came out as only the second team to leave the Carl Reindorf park unblemished and with maximum points as they beat Liberty Professionals by a solitary goal.

Bliss on the road...

The Ghana premier league has been a dire hunting ground for teams on the road and the current season has been no exception to the ancient rule. A point earned on your travel is deemed as important as maximum points secured at home. Week 19 presented a rare case of impressive outings by teams on the road as 4 of the 7 games ended in an away team picking at least a point.

Hearts of Oak were the biggest gainers as their win away from home catapulted them to the summit and send the teeming oak family into a state of hysteria. An audacious backheel from Cosmos Dauda was enough to secure Hearts’ first win over Hasaacas at Sekondi in close to a decade.

Rooted to the bottom but their efforts yielded a valuable point at one of the difficult grounds in the league. New Edubiase came from a goal down to level things up as free scoring Aduana Stars failed to glitter at home. Striker James Boadu was the hero of the day as his strike earned New Edubiase a precious point at this season’s goal harvest venue.

Dreams FC became only the second side to leave Carl Reindorf with all three points this season. Again it was an effort out of this world by experienced Eric Gawu which saw Liberty Professionals laughing at the wrong side at their own backyard.

Bechem United for the second time this season went to Baba Yara and frustrated the odds to avoid defeat at the hands of Asante Kotoko. It was a masterclass of goalkeeping exhibition from Prince Asempa coupled with consistent wastefulness from Kotoko which presented Bechem United with the point. For a side that virtually lose everything on their travel this point could prove to be the difference in their fight for premiership status next term.

Playing away from home in week 19 could not have been any better as there arose an appreciable bliss on the road for most travelling teams