Ghana Premier League: New signings poised to shake up title race
The curtain rises this afternoon on the second round of the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League, promising a gripping chapter in the competition as clubs prepare for the campaign with strategic signings during the January window promising to spice up the competition.
Bottom club Accra Lions will lock horns with Medeama SC at the University of Ghana Stadium, setting the tone for a weekend of exhilarating fixtures as clubs look to unleash their new signings to bolster their campaigns.
Tomorrow’s encounters are headlined by Asante Kotoko’s clash with struggling Karela United at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, where the Porcupines will showcase their January transfer window additions.
Elsewhere, Basake Holy Stars host fifth-placed Hearts of Oak at the AAK II Sports Arena, while Bechem United face Nations FC in a cracker at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park, Bechem.
Other 18th-week matchups include Young Apostles battling Nsoatreman FC at the Wenchi Sports Stadium, Berekum Chelsea locking horns with Vision FC at the Golden City Park, and fourth-placed Heart of Lions hosting Aduana FC at the Kpando Stadium.
Defending champions FC Samartex will meet Dreams FC at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, while Legon Cities take on Gold Stars FC at the University of Ghana Stadium.
Big names, bold gambles
The January transfer window delivered late drama with clubs making bold moves to reshape their squads. Some deals stole the headlines, while others fizzled out in the final moments.
Determined to reclaim league glory, Kotoko were among the most active in the market, completing seven deals. Former Azam FC and Simba SC right-back Kwasi Asante leads the charge of new arrivals, joined by goal-getter Sampson Eduku, who adds firepower up front.
The return of striker Kwame Opoku has already paid dividends, with four goals in three matches, and his partnership with Eduku could prove devastating for defences.
Adding depth in key areas for Coach Prosper Narteh Ogum’s side are goalkeeper Benjamin Twum from Young Apostles, versatile defender Adrian Adjetey Daniel, and experienced midfielder Isaac Mintah, fresh from a stint with Aduana FC and Sudan’s Al-Ahly.
Hearts keep it compact.
Hearts opted for precision over volume, bringing in attacking midfielder Seth Osei in a transfer that raised eyebrows given his previous links to Kotoko.
Adding steel to their midfield is Kwasi Asmah, signed on a two-and-a-half-year deal from Na God FC, as the Phobians aim to climb the league table.
Former champions Aduana FC reinforced their squad with four key signings, including the highly-rated left-back Liventius Attur, midfielder Maxwell Arthur, and forward Bright Adjei, who will bring pace and creativity to their attack.
Title contenders Nations FC, determined to secure survival, pulled off the eye-catching signing of former Kotoko and Great Olympics right-back Christopher Nettey, alongside ex-Bechem United midfielder Emmanuel Annor, boosting their defensive and midfield options.
Relegation-threatened Legon Cities, 17th on the league table, made headlines by signing winger Emmanuel Gyamfi from Kotoko and defender Robert Addo Sowah from Hearts. In a quirky twist, they also signed Elijah Slasi Satekla, brother of musician Stonebwoy, after a successful trial.
Meanwhile, defending champions FC Samartex secured midfield maestro Awuah Dramani from Berekum Chelsea and strengthened further with Emmanuel Kofi Essien.
Heart of Lions, on the other hand, made a single but strategic signing of Paul Attah Agyei to bolster Coach Bashir Hayford’s midfield.
Signings to watch
The second round promises to deliver thrills and surprises as the clubs’ fresh recruits strive to make an immediate impact and prove their worth.
Opoku and Eduku could form a lethal partnership for Kotoko’s title push in the second round, while Aduana’s balanced acquisitions can help them move up the log even though they have not demonstrated consistency to make them serious title contenders.
The Phobians will look up to midfield duo, Osei and Asmah, to inject fresh quality to ignite their campaign, and Nations FC’s defensive reinforcements may be the lifeline they need to keep the pressure on league leaders Bibiani Gold Stars.
January Transfer Deals
Asante Kotoko
• Kwasi Asante – Right-back (Azam & Simba SC)
• Sampson Eduku – Forward (Tamale City)
• Kwame Opoku – Forward (Returnee, 4 goals in 3 matches)
• Isaac Mintah – Midfielder (Aduana FC/Al-Ahly, Sudan)
• Benjamin Twum – Goalkeeper (Young Apostles)
• Adrian Adjetey Daniel – Defender
Hearts of Oak
• Seth Osei – Attacking midfielder
• Kwasi Asmah – Midfielder (Na God FC)
Aduana FC
• Liventius Attur – Left-back
• Maxwell Arthur – Midfielder
• Bright Adjei – Forward
• Emmanuel Partey – Defensive midfielder
Nations FC
• Christopher Nettey – Right-back (Asante Kotoko/Great Olympics)
• Emmanuel Annor – Midfielder (Bechem United)
Legon Cities
• Emmanuel Gyamfi – Winger (Asante Kotoko)
• Robert Addo Sowah – Defender (Hearts of Oak)
• Elijah Slasi Satekla – Midfielder (Musician Stonebwoy’s brother)
FC Samartex
• Awuah Dramani – Midfielder (Berekum Chelsea)
• Emmanuel Kofi Essien – Midfielder
Heart of Lions
• Paul Attah Agyei – Midfielder (Berekum Chelsea)