Ghana Premier League: All Blacks survive, Nations FC suffer relegation blow
Swedru All Blacks pulled off a breathtaking survival escape on the final day of the Ghana Premier League season yesterday, while Nations FC suffered devastating relegation heartbreak despite winning away from home.
In a dramatic conclusion to the 2025/26 season packed with twists and shattered dreams, All Blacks fought back to stun Asante Kotoko 2-1 in Kumasi and preserve their top-flight status, while Nations’ brave survival bid ended in heartbreak despite a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Karela United.
The final afternoon also delivered a six-goal masterclass from Bibiani Gold Stars forward Samuel Attah Kumi, a statement victory from Hearts of Oak over champions Medeama SC, and confirmation of Dreams FC’s remarkable late-season revival.
All Blacks’s great escape
At the Baba Yara Stadium, Swedru All Blacks looked destined for relegation when an unfortunate own goal from Clement Tutu handed Kotoko the lead before half-time.
But what followed was one of the season’s great survival fightbacks. All Blacks emerged after the half-time break transformed and refusing to surrender their Premier League future.
Rudolf Mensah ignited belief with a sensational bicycle kick that silenced the Baba Yara Stadium and shifted momentum instantly before Williams Dankwah completed the turnaround with the decisive winner.
Kotoko were handed a golden chance to rescue a point late in the game, but Samba O’Neil failed from the penalty spot as All Blacks survived a tense finale to complete a remarkable escape.
Nations win but go down
While All Blacks celebrated survival, Nations FC were left shattered.
Knowing only victory could keep their hopes alive, Nations produced a disciplined and determined performance to defeat Karela United 1-0 in Tamale.
Antwi Sarpong’s 15th-minute strike proved enough to secure the win the club desperately needed. But as news filtered through from other venues, the reality became painfully clear that their fate was no longer in their own hands.
Nations FC will now turn their full attention to the MTN FA Cup final against Dreams FC, where victory could still secure qualification to the CAF Confederation Cup despite their relegation from the Ghana topflight.
At the Accra Sports Stadium, Hearts of Oak delivered one of their most complete performances of the campaign to overpower champions Medeama SC 4-2 in an entertaining six-goal spectacle.
Hamza Issah and Mawuli Wayo spearheaded the Phobians’ impressive finish to the season with decisive goals as Coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani’s side secured third place in style.
The individual performance of the day belonged to Samuel Attah Kumi, who delivered one of the most extraordinary displays in league history by scoring six goals in Bibiani Gold Stars’ astonishing 8-3 demolition of relegated Eleven Wonders at the Dun’s Park, Bibiani.
Heading into the final day trailing Bechem United striker Augustine Okrah by two goals in the race for the Golden Boot,
Kumi produced a ruthless scoring explosion as he found the back of the net in the 35th, 38th, 47th, 52nd, 65th and stoppage-time minutes to finish the season as the league’s top scorer with 19 goals.
Young Apostles, Vision FC survive
Young Apostles also preserved their elite division status with an assured 2-0 victory over FC Samartex in Wenchi.
Vision FC completed their campaign in emphatic style with a commanding 3-0 triumph over Aduana FC through goals from Ruben Quaye, Ibrahim Larbi and Naseru Sumaila as the Tema-based club comfortably secured survival and a top-half finish.
Dreams FC continued their remarkable second-round revival by clinching a top-four finish after an impressive 4-2 away victory over Basake Holy Stars.
Berekum Chelsea also ended the campaign in flying form, recording a fifth consecutive win by edging Bechem United 3-2 in a thrilling regional derby.
