The Talking Points: Week Three of the Ghana Premier League

After an exciting week of football across the country in match-day-three of the Ghanaian league, it could not have gone without some salient points to talk about.

Quickly, let us ‘talk the points’ in week three of the league in our weekly "Talking Points".

Hooliganism and indiscipline

After keeping a keen eye on the two match days that had already gone by before last weekend round of matches like a python targeting to swallow a spotted kangaroo with much interest on hooliganism and discipline in the ongoing league which was par excellent, last weekend round of matches gave other thoughts on the kind of players and supporters we have in our football circus though hooliganism and discipline have not reached it’s monstrous ebb.

The gospel has gone viral on how to sanitize the local game over the years through public lecture and orientation to stakeholders of the league and footballers but over the weekend, what happened was an eye saw in the league.

Instead of focusing and concentrating on how to get the maximum three points as their opponents too are hungrier for the points, Kumasi Asante Kotoko decided to channel all their efforts off play to concentrate on officiating, which was described in the first period of the game against Medeama as abysmal.

Reports indicate that reasons why the match official of the day, Prosper Addy, could not return for the rest of the second period after recess was because he was assaulted by the home team.

As to those who categorically (fans, management, supporters) assaulted him is not clearly known yet.

Loud calls have been placed on the referees doorstep as to why Kotoko could not win the game but that isn't so much an excuse for their reasons as hardly did Kotoko create decent chances throughout the game.

Both Kotoko goals came through the run of play and some unpardonable mistakes by Michael Sai.

At the Tema Astroturf park where Inter Allies hosted in form Dreams FC, former Hearts of Oak midfielder Emmanuel Hayford, in the glare eyes of the Black Stars coach Avram Grant who was in the stands, vented his spleen on an Inter Allies player exhibiting gross indiscipline on the field of play which saw him take an early shower.

A twist of event in the shape of how the league has so far been capped to a negative sway will leave much to be desired if this is to continue in the ensuing future.

There has been controversies attached to the league prior to its commencement and to tidy and tighten the leaflets that has left behind to attract investors in the league, we need to re -write our notes again against pity actions that makes our league full of filth.

The pros outweigh the cons from what we have witnessed after match day three but much has to be done for sponsorship to come on board.

However, we would be far from it if what we saw at Tema and Kumasi is everything to go by.

It can be disputed that, there can never be a whole season of football without controversies but the local league is too young to call for that.

Actions must be duly taken by the appropriate quarters in earnest so as not to see such repeat again.

Sogakope becoming a fortress

West African Football Club has been known of playing with aesthetic beauty. They have demystified it with a different approach to giving fans a joy. They don't only dominate games but they also score as many as they can from the chances they create.

Football cannot be as exciting and entertaining as expected without goals and WAFA have assured trooping fans to the Red Bulls Arena at Sogakope of consistent excitement.

The best games of the league so far has come from the home games of WAFA against heavy opponents in the Ghanaian game, Kotoko and Hasaacas.

Both Kotoko and Hasaacas have had their toughest games after match-day-three against WAFA.

The Sogakope Astroturf is now becoming a fortress for Ghanaian clubs after thumping Hasaacas by 5-0 over the weekend.

Notwithstanding the fact that Hasmal had some internal wrangling among the players and management of the club, WAFA were extremely heads and shoulders above them in all department of the game.

Hasaacas could have a case to hang on for their loss but excuses are not acceptable at this level especially when you could not have any chance of beating your opponent even when you are mentally and physically upright for a game.

At this rate for which WAFA is tearing apart and giving opponents "gari" mixed with "sand" at their home grounds, it is highly probably for them to go unbeaten like other European clubs have done at home.

Quite too early though as they have played only two matches out of fifteen at home, they give nostalgic feelings to all and sundry to the fact that they have gathered that temerity of reaching that level.

Goals to contend for Puskas?

The three-week-old league has witnessed some good goals over the weeks which could go par head against some other breath taking goals scored across the world on any big stage.

Week two and three have recorded some mind boggling goals which need no rocket scientist to decide it as a world class goal.

From Eric Bekoe and Amos Korankye's week two screamer against Techiman City to last Sundays game between Kotoko and Medeama where Malik Akowuah and Bismark Oppong's equalizers gave the Yellow and Mauves a point at the end of the game.

A well calculated and measured 35 yards free kick from Malik Akowuah caught Ofori Antwi in his post after Bennet Ofori has given the Porcupine Warriors the lead.

To sum the game off with beauty after Kotoko had taken the lead through Michael Yeboah's fictitious goal, Bismark Oppong sent the Tarkwa club and the fans up on their feet with a half volley outside the far left side of the box to beat Ofori Antwi again.

These are the kind of goals we get to see in our local league and it promises to be more exciting in the next games with wonderful goals.

Attendance again

Local fans need to be recommended for their tireless efforts to keep football venues filled to capacity every week.

It has been a routine since the league started and looks set to continue at this time where clubs are giving out everything to attract fans to the stadium and do themselves good by positioning themselves well on the league log.

The media also has been a back bone to this successful story which the FA has been calling since time immemorial and it is now turning into fruition.

I am sure I will be back here in my next edition to talk about attendance again only if clubs will not take advantage of this by seeking the welfare of their teeming fans to inflate the gate fees of their matches.

It has not been a nine day wonder when it comes to fans’ support in the local league.